Vinyl pressings
by The Motels · 1980
Careful 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.
22 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ST-1-12070 F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ KPRunout side A, variant 1
ST-2-12070 F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ KPRunout side B, variant 1
ST-1-12070 F2 # 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ [Sign: Indecipherable]Runout side A, variant 2
ST-2-12070 F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ [Sign: Indecipherable]Runout side B, variant 2
ST-1-12070-F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0A Side Etch exc 0, "...Capitol" stamps
ST-2-12070-F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0B Side Etch exc 0, "...Capitol" stamps
(FXAP)ST1-12070-GIA G1Side A, Etched
(FXAP)ST2-12070-GIA G1Side B, Etched
ST-1-12070-F3 ● 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ ✲ KPSide A etched except ✲, "...Capitol" stamped
ST-2-12070-F3 ● 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP ✲ ✲Side B Etched except ✲, "...Capitol" stamped
ST 1-12070Side A label
ST 2-12070Side B label
ST-1-12070-F3 ● 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ ✲Side A runout, variant 1 etched except ✲, "...Capitol" stamped
ST-2-12070-F3 ● 1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ ✲Side B runout, variant 1 etched except ✲, "...Capitol" stamped
ST-1-12070 F3. 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP ✲ ✲Side A runout, variant 2
ST-2-12070 F3. 2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲✲ KPSide B runout, variant 2
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 | Argentina | Capitol Records 8865First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Capitol Records ST-12000First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-512070LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | Capitol Records 11781First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Capitol Records 86146First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1980 | France | Capitol Records 2C 070 - 86.146 / Capitol Records 2C 070 86146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 064-86 146 / Capitol Records 1 C 064-86 146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 064-86146 / Capitol Records 3 C 064 - 86146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81335First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1A 062-86146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Capitol Records ST 12070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Capitol Records 11C 07486146 YFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Capitol Records ST (D) 12070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Capitol Records E-ST 12070 / Capitol Records 0C 062-86 146LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Capitol Records ST-12070LP, Album | LP, Album |
29 vinyl pressings of Careful are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1980 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12070, released June 15, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12070, ST-512070, E-ST 12070, 8865) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12070 F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ KP and ST-2-12070 F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL ─◁ KP. 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.
