Vinyl pressings
by The Fabulous Thunderbirds · 1980
What's The Word was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
CHR 1287-A S2.. A4 SVariant 1 Side 1 Etched
CHR-1287-B S1.. C2 S2Variant 1 Side 2 Etched
CHR 1287-A S2.. X S2 SxVariant 2 Side 1 Etched
CHR-1287-B S1.. A7 S1Variant 2 Side 2 Etched
CHR 1287 A// 1 ▽E P tone 11 10Runout side A, variant 1
CHR 1287 B// 1 ▽E P 11 1Runout side B, variant 1
CHR 1287 A// 1 ▽E P 11 1 toneRunout side A, variant 2
CHR 1287 B// 1 ▽E P 11 3Runout side B, variant 2
SMX 56297 W2ARunout Side A
SMX 56298 W2ARunout Side B
SMX 56297 W2ARunout side A
SMX 56298 W2ARunout side B
CHR 1011 6399054 1 380 POLYGRAMRunout A-Side
CHR 011 6399054 2Y 380 POLYGRAM DU1Runout B-Side
6399 054 1Label A-side
6399 054 2Label B-side
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Takoma L37355First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Takoma L37355 / Takoma TKL 37355First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Chrysalis 6399 054First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Chrysalis 6399 054First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Chrysalis 202 640 / Chrysalis 202 640 320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 51.1287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Takoma L 37355First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Chrysalis CHR 1287 / Takoma CHR 1287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Chrysalis PV 41287 / Takoma PV 41287LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1287LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41287 / Takoma PV 41287LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41287 / Takoma PV 41287LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41287LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of What's The Word are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1287.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1287, L37355, 6399 054, 51.1287) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1287-A S2.. A4 S and CHR-1287-B S1.. C2 S2. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
