Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1984
What Difference Does It Make? was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
RT 146 A-1U-1-1 - - 7 JONZVariant 1, side A
RT 146 B-1U-1-1 - - 4 SOUND CLINICVariant 1, side B
RT 146 A-2U-1-1--1 JONZVariant 2, side A
RT 146 B-1U-1-1--6 SOUND CLINICVariant 2, side B
RTT-146-A1 JONZRunout side A, variant 1
RTT-146-B2 SOUND CLINIC ARunout side B, variant 1
RTT-146.A1 JONZRunout side A, variant 2
RTT-146.B2 SOUND CLINIC ARunout side B, variant 2
RTT-146-A1 JONZRunout side A, variant 1
RTT-146-B2 SOUND CLINICRunout side B, variant 1
RTT-146.A1 JONZ A CRunout side A, variant 2
RTT-146.B1 A SOUND CLINIC C :)Runout side B, variant 2
RT 146 A-1U-1-1 - - 1 JONZSide A runout, variant 1
RT 146 B-2U-1- 1 - 9 SOUND CLINICSide B runout, variant 1
RT 146 A-1U-1-2-4Side A runout, variant 2
RT 146 B-1U-1-1 10Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 12002First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Rough Trade RTANZ 12002First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Sire 92 92397First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | Sire 92 92397First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 80119 / Rough Trade 80119First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Intercord INT 110.152First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Rough Trade RTT 146First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Rough Trade RTT 146First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Rough Trade RT 146 / Rough Trade RT146First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Rough Trade RTANZ 003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Rough Trade RTANZ 12002First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Rough Trade TM/RT 146First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Nuevos Medios 41-086-M / Rough Trade 41-086-MFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN1467", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RT 1467", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2008 | UK | Rhino Records RHN 146 / Rhino Records RHN1467", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited |
41 vinyl pressings of What Difference Does It Make? are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1984 and 2008.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Ireland, Japan and more. One of them is Rough Trade RT 146, released January 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RT 146, RTT 146, RTT146, 9 29239-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RT 146 A-1U-1-1 - - 7 JONZ and RT 146 B-1U-1-1 - - 4 SOUND CLINIC. 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.
