Vinyl pressings
by The Tubes · 1977
Now was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
T1 A&M SP5001 RE-1 T3Side A runout, variant 1
T1 A&M SP5002-T1Side B runout, variant 1
T1 A&M SP5001 RE-1 T4Side A runout, variant 2
T1 A&M SP5002-P1Side B runout, variant 2
A&M SP5001(-RE1)-M1 △ 22210 (3)Side A, runout, variant 1
A&M SP5002-P2 ASide B, runout, variant 1
A&M SP5001(-RE1)-M1 △ 22210 (3) O PSide A, runout, variant 2
A&M SP5002-P1 A PSide B, runout, variant 2
P A&M SP5001 (RE-1)-M1 △ 22210 (3) 0Runout side A
P A&M SP5002-P2 ARunout side B
SP-5001Label side A
SP-5002Label side B
A&M SP5001 (RE-1)-M1 V △ 22210 (3)Side A runout
A&M SP5002-M1 MR V △ 22210-X (1)Side B runout
SP-5001Side A label, in parentheses
SP-5002Side B label, in parentheses
T1 A+M SP5001 RE-1 T3Side A
T1 A+M SP5002-T2Side B
SP-5001Side A label
SP-5002Side B label
A&M SP5001 (RE-1)-M1 △ 22210 (9)Runout A variant 1
A&M SP5002 (RE-1)-M1 (MR) △ 22210-X (1)Runout B variant 1
A&M SP5001 (RE-1)-M2 △22210(10)Runout A variant 2
A&M SP5002-M2 △22210-X(2)Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | A&M Records L36120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4632First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | A&M Records SP 4632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64632 / A&M Records SP 4632First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64632First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | A&M Records 28565 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | A&M Records L36120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4632First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4632First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4632LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | A&M Records SP-4632First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | US | A&M Records SP-3243LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
33 vinyl pressings of Now are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4632.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4632, SP 4632, AMLH 64632, L36120) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T1 A&M SP5001 RE-1 T3 and T1 A&M SP5002-T1. 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.
