Vinyl pressings
by The Temptations · 1983
Surface Thrills was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
6032 GLA - 15B 1ML-S 3MO 006Side One
6032 GLB - 15B 1KL-S 3MO 006Side Two
6032 GLA - 15B stamped (TML-S) hand script etched (ZMO 003)Side One
6032 GLB - 15B stamped (TML-S) hand script etched (ZMO 003)Side Two
600 (S1) 6032GLA-15B TML-S ZMO#12Side A runout
600 (S1) 6032GLB-15B TML-S ZMO#12Side B runout
6032GLASide A label
6032GLBSide B label
6032GLA-15B TML-S ZMO#13009 BNM-TRunout A, variant 1
6032GLB-15B TML-S ZMO#13009 BNM-TRunout B, variant 1
6032GLA-15B TML-S ZMO#13 BN0-T 020Runout A, variant 2
6032GLB-15B TML-S ZMO#13 BNM-T 020Runout B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Gordy G 6032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Motown 542034 / Vogue 542034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Motown 260·15·047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Israel | Motown 6032 GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Motown TMLP 6024First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Motown VIL-6037First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | Motown VIL-6037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Motown SPL1-60053First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Motown STML 12182First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Gordy 6032GLFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Venezuela | Motown LPS-99.655First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Gordy 6032GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Gordy 6032GLFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Gordy 6032GLFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Surface Thrills are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Gordy 6032GL, released February 18, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6032GL, STML 12182, G 6032, 542034) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6032 GLA - 15B 1ML-S 3MO 006 and 6032 GLB - 15B 1KL-S 3MO 006. 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.
