Vinyl pressings
by The Who · 1982
Eminence Front was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 3 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.
7-29814 AAA 1648-S--⃫D⃫J⃫ TML-S SR1⃫2 SP 1-2Run-out A etched (ᴛᴍʟ-s stamp)
7-29814 AAA 1648-S SR1 TML-S SP 1-1Run-out B etched (ᴛᴍʟ-s stamp)
AAA 1648SLabel A
AAA 1651SLabel B
7-29814 AAA 1648-S-SHI R-10372-SHI (delta) 3144 + SLMA Side Etched
7-29814 AAA 1651-S-SHI R-10373-SHI (delta) 3145 + SLMB Side Etched
AAA 1648SA Label
AAA 1651SB Label
7-29814-AAA-1648-S-WW2 TML-M —◁A-Side Runout Etching
7-29814-AAA-1651-S-WW1 TML-S —◁B-Side Runout Etching
AAA 1648SA-Side Label
AAA 1651SB-Side Label
7-29814 AAA 1648-S JWI #1 TML-M 0A side runout
7-29814 AAA 1651-S JWI#2 TML-M 0B side runout
AAA 1648SA side label
AAA 1651SB side label
PRO A-1-1087-SH-1 TML-S [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-17443-SH1 △3146 + SLMA-side runout
PRO-A2-1087-SH2 TML-X [Allied "ɑ" logo] B-17444-SH2 △3147 + SLMB-side runout
7-29814 AAA 1648-S-DJ TML-S SR ̶2̶ 1 SP 1-1Runout side A
7-29814•AAA•1648-VI-SDJ SR1 TML-M SP 1-1Runout side B
AAA 1648SLabel side A
AAA 1648VISLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 98147First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 98147First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Polydor WHOX 6A2420First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29814First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29814First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29814First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29814First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29814First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-29814First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-1087First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Eminence Front are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 7-29814, released November 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-29814, PRO-A-1087, WHOX 6A2420, 92 98147) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-29814 AAA 1648-S--⃫D⃫J⃫ TML-S SR1⃫2 SP 1-2 and 7-29814 AAA 1648-S SR1 TML-S SP 1-1. 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.
