Vinyl pressings
by The Police · 1981
Ghost In The Machine 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.
81 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 31 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.
AMLK 63730 A10 SDG STERLINGRunout, A-side, variant 1
AMLK 63730 B2 ( )( ) STERLINGRunout, B-side, variant 1
AMLK 63730 A13 STERLINGRunout, A-side, variant 2
AMLK 63730 B14 STERLINGRunout, B-side, variant 2
AM SP 03730-A RE-1 😶 RCA 2 A2B ISide A, Runout, Etched, variant 1
AM SP 03730-B RE-1 RCA 1 😶 A3ASide B, Runout, Etched, variant 1
AM SP 03730-A RE-1 😶 RCA1 A4FSide A Runout, Etched, variant 2
AM SP 03730-B RE-1 RCA 1 😶 A3BSide B Runout, Etched, variant 2
ƐMW AM SP 03730-A RE-1·· ES1·· (··)✓✓Side A
EDP M1 SF1SM20 SPO 3730-B EUR 2 STERLING TJSide B
SP-3730 SP-03730-ASide A label
SP-3730 SP-03730-BSide B label
AM SP 03730-A RE-I ES1 IISide A runout variant 1, etched
AM SP 03730-B RE-I ES1 VSide B runout variant 1, etched
AM SP 03730-A RE-I RCA 2Etched on Side A Runout
AM SP 03730-B RE-I RCA 2Etched on Side B Runout
ⅠStamped on Side A Runout
A ⅠStamped on Side B Runout
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 | A&M Records 20.241 / A&M Records SP-03730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Argentina | A&M Records 20.241First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Argentina | A&M Records 20.241First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | A&M Records RML-53011 / A&M Records RML 53011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | A&M Records AM.L53011First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1981 | Barbados | A&M Records SP-03730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Bolivia | A&M Records 20313First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | A&M Records 170065 / A&M Records 170.065First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SPJ 3730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-3730LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-03730LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLK 63730First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLK 63730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records HAM 8First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLK 63730First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Spain | A&M Records 393 730-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Japan | A&M Records UIJY-9028 / Universal Music UIJY-9028LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | A&M Records ARHSLP005LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2019 | Worldwide | A&M Records 080 461-5LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | A&M Records 457 324-8 / UMC 457 324-8LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | A&M Records 170065 / A&M Records 170.065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | A&M Records 170065 / A&M Records 170.065LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Amiga 63730LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 393 730-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 393 730-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | A&M Records 393 730-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Taiwan | 震撼 PRO-4043LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Worldwide | A&M Records 080 461-5LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress |
133 vinyl pressings of Ghost In The Machine are listed here, from 36 countries, released between 1981 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Japan, Colombia and more. One of them is A&M Records AMLK 63730, released October 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLK 63730, SP-3730, AMP-28043, 106-0025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLK 63730 A10 SDG STERLING and AMLK 63730 B2 ( )( ) STERLING. 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.
