Vinyl pressings
by The Pretenders · 1981
Extended Play 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.
18 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
B-15562 mINI-1-3563 SM⃥1 + SLM +++ △606Side A runout, variant 1
mINI-2-3563 SM⃥1 + SLM +++++ △606-X ++B-15563Side B runout, variant 1
MINI-1-3563 S1 + SLM + △606 B-15562Side A runout, variant 2
MINI-2-3563-S1 + SLM + △606-X B-15563Side B runout, variant 2
[EDP logo] M1 SF1 SM1 MINI-1-3563- E1 0-2SM1-3Runout side A, var. 1
[EDP logo] M1 SF1 SM2 MINI-2-3563- E1 SP 0-1SM1-1Runout side B, var. 1
[EDP logo] M1 SF1 SM1 MINI-1-3563- E1 0-2SM1-1-Runout side A, var. 2
[EDP logo] M1 SF1 SM2 MINI-2-3563- E1 SP 0-1SM 1-1Runout side B, var. 2
MINI-1-3563- E1 SP O-2 SM2-1 EDP M1 SF1 SM1Runout side A
MINI-2-3563- E1 SP O-1 SM1-1 EDP M1 SF1 SM2Runout side B
MINI-1-3563-WW1 #2 —◁Side 1 Etched
MINI-2-3563-WW1 —◁Side 2 Etched
MINI-1-3653 JW 2 #1 0Side 1 Etched, 0 Stamped [Variant 1]
MINI-2-3653 JW 1 #3 0Side 2 Etched, 0 Stamped [Variant 1]
MINI-1-3563-JW1 0Side 1 Etched, 0 Stamped [Variant 2]
MINI-2-3653 JW 1 #3 0Side 2 Etched, 0 Stamped [Variant 2]
MINI-1-3563-EI (EDP) M1Side A Etched (except SLM which is stamped)
MINI-2-3563-EI MI SP-0-1 SMI-4Side B Etched (except SLM which is stamped)
(EDP) M1 SF 1 SM 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WBN 26.177First year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WBN 26.177First year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Mexico | Sire SL-7061First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | New Zealand | WEA MINI 3563 / Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | Portugal | NOVA Companhia de Música, Lda. MINI 3563/NPFirst year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | Portugal | Sire MINI 3563 NPFirst year12", EP, Promo · Promo | 12", EP, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | US | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | US | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | US | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | US | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | US | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1981 | Canada | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP, Stereo | 12", EP, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP, Stereo | 12", EP, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Sire MINI 3563First year12", EP | 12", EP |
21 vinyl pressings of Extended Play are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Canada, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Sire MINI 3563, released March 25, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MINI 3563, WBN 26.177, SL-7061, MINI 3563/NP) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B-15562 mINI-1-3563 SM⃥1 + SLM +++ △606 and mINI-2-3563 SM⃥1 + SLM +++++ △606-X ++B-15563. 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.
