Vinyl pressings
by The J. Geils Band · 1981
Centerfold was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 18 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.
A-8102 S-45-500739-Z-5 —◁ MCR JoeA-Side Runout Etching - Variant 1
A-8102 S-45-500738-Z-5 —◁ MCR JoeB-Side Runout Etching - Variant 1
A-8102 S-45-500739-Z-6 #5 —◁ MCR JoeA-Side Runout Etching - Variant 2
A-8102 BS-45-500738-Z-5 #7 —◁ MCR JoeB-Side Runout Etching - Variant 2
A-8102 S-45-500739-Z-S #5 ─◁ MCR JoeA side runout (Variant 1)
BS 45-500738-ZS A-8102 #4 ─◁B side runout (Variant 1)
5•45-500739-Z6 #5 ─◁ MCR JoeA side runout (Variant 2)
BS•45-500738-Z5 A—8102 #12 ─◁ MCR JoeB side runout (Variant 2)
S-45-500739-Z2 1 ✲ MCR JoeA Runout
BS 45-500738-Z1 ✲ MCR Joe A8102B Runout
500739A Label
500738B Label
S·45·500739-Z3 A-8102#3 MCR Joe 0Runout side A, variant 1
A- -̶̷8̶̷1̶̷0̶̷0̶̷-̶̷ 8102 B S·45-5̶0̶0̶7̶3̶8̶ #4 MCR Joe 0Runout side B, variant 1
S·45-500739-Z4 #5 A-8102 MCR Joe 0Runout side A, variant 2
A-8100̶̷2 B S·45-500733̶8 Z3 #2 MCR Joe 0Runout side B, variant 2
S-45-500739•Z2. 1-1 ✲ MCR JoeA Runout
BS A⃥S⃥• 45-500738-Z2. 1-1 ✲ MCR Joe A8102 A̶8̶1̶0̶2̶B Runout
500739A Label
500738B Label
A-8102 S-45-500739-Z-1 2 ✲ MCR JoeA-Side Runout Etching
A-8102 S-45-500738-Z1- 1 ✲ MCR JoeB-Side Runout Etching
500739A-Side Label
500738B-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | EMI America 1815First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | EMI America AMI-630First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Australia | EMI America AMI-630First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 006 86454First year7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | EMI America A-8102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Colombia | EMI 446-111First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Colombia | EMI 4461104First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Colombia | EMI 446-1104First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI America 1C 006-86 454 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-86 454First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI America 1 C 006-86 454 / EMI America 1C 006-86 454First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | EMI America 1C 006-86 454 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-86 454First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | EMI Electrola 1C K 052-86 500 ZFirst year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1981 | Guatemala | EMI America 8102First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI America EA 135First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI America EA 135First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
46 vinyl pressings of Centerfold are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is EMI America A-8102.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A-8102, P-A-8102, EA 135, EYS-17177) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-8102 S-45-500739-Z-5 —◁ MCR Joe and A-8102 S-45-500738-Z-5 —◁ MCR Joe. 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.
