Vinyl pressings
by The Tubes · 1979
Remote Control was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 14 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.
SP 5239-RE-2-RCA-1 STERLINGSide A etched, Sterling stamped, variant 1
5240-RE-1-RC-1 GC STERLINGSide B etched, Sterling stamped, variant 1
SP 5239-RE-2-RCA-1 1 A 2 F STERLINGSide A etched, Sterling stamped, variant 2
SP-5240-RE-1-INT 4 RC A △24119-X 1 STERLING gc F FSide B etched, Sterling stamped, variant 2
SP 5239-RE-1-T 2 (crossed out) M2 (MR) (logo stamped) (triangle) 24119 (3) STERLING (stamped) OKSide A etched, except where noted
SP-5240RE1 M3 (MR) (logo stamped) (triangle) 24119-X (3) STERLING (stamped)Side B etched, except where noted
P SP-5239-RE-1-P1 STERLING GCSide A runout, etched, ᴘ Sterling stamped
P SP-5240-RE-1-P1 STERLINGSide B runout, etched, ᴘ Sterling stamped
SP-5239Side A label
SP-5240Side B label
T1 SP 5239-RE-1- [M2 crosed out] T2 C1 STERLINGSide A Etch & Stamp
T1 SP-5240 RE1 - T2 STERLINGSide B Etch & Stamp
(SP-5239)A-side label
(SP-5240)B-side label
A&M [etched] SP-5239-RCA-1 [etched and scratched out] SP 3242A l A2 [stamped]Side A Runout
AID A&M [etched] SP-5240-RCA-1 [etched and scratched out] SP 3242B l A2 [stamped]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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | A&M Records L 36821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4751First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP 69929First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64751First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64751First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | A&M Records AMLH 62751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | A&M Records AMLH 64751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-6037 / A&M Records SP-4751First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-6037First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | A&M Records AMLH 99 64751First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc, Stereo · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Stereo · Picture disc |
| 1979 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 36821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | A&M Records 1 PSP 4751 / A&M Records PPSP 4751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Portugal | A&M Records 1PSP 4751First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 393 242-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMNP 107 / A&M Records AMLH 64751LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMNP 107 / A&M Records AMLH 64751LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | A&M Records AMNP 107 / A&M Records AMLH 64751LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64751LP, Album | LP, Album |
38 vinyl pressings of Remote Control are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1979 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4751.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4751, SP-3242, AMLH 64751, L 36821) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP 5239-RE-2-RCA-1 STERLING and 5240-RE-1-RC-1 GC 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.
