Vinyl pressings
by Tim Curry · 1979
Fearless 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.
15 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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-5283-RC2 MASTERDISK RL IRunout side A, etched; "MASTERDISK" & "I" stamped; variant 1
SP-5284-4 MASTERDISK RL IRunout side B, etched; "MASTERDISK" & "I" stamped; variant 1
SP-5283-SM3-A+M MASTERDISK AL A6 1SRunout side A, etched; "MASTERDISK" & "I" stamped; variant 2
SP-5284-SM4A+M A³ 1SRunout side B, etched; variant 2
SP-5283-P4-ASM –BKSide 1 Etched
SP-5284-P5-ASM –BKSide 2 Etched
MASTERDISK PSide 1 & 2 Stamped
SP-5283-P7-A&M MASTERDISK-BKRunout side A etched, Stamped MASTERDISK
SP-5283-P4-ASM –BKSide 1 Etched - var 1
SP-5284-P5-ASM –BKSide 2 Etched - var 1
MASTERDISKSide 1 & 2 Stamped - var 1
AM SP 5283 T5.. Λ3 T1Side A runout, etched; Λ stamped - var 2
AM SP 5283 RCA1A-Side Etched
AM SP 5284 RCA 1B-Side Etched
(SP-5283)A-Side Label
(SP-5284)B-Side Label
ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋBoth sides stamped
SP-5283-SM3-A+M AL SxT AA-side runout etched
SP-5284–T4-A&M –BKB-side runout etched
SP-5283 RC2 RLA-side runout etched, variant 2
Ʌ I A AM SP 5283 RCA1. [Pig Logo] [Trumpet Logo]A-Side Etched, Ʌ I & [Trumpet Logo] stamped
Ʌ \ I E AM SP 5284 RCA 1. [Pig Logo] [Trumpet Logo]B-Side Etched, Ʌ \ I & [Trumpet Logo] stamped
(SP-5283)A-Side Label
(SP-5284)B-Side Label
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 SP-4773 / Festival Records Pty. Ltd. L 36947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Australia | A&M Records AML.36947 / Festival Records AML.36947LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64773 / A&M Records SP 4773First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 64773 / A&M Records AMLH 64773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | A&M Records SP-4773First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Fearless are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4773.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4773, AMLH 64773, AMLS 64773) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP-5283-RC2 MASTERDISK RL I and SP-5284-4 MASTERDISK RL I. 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.
