Vinyl pressings
by Tim Curry · 1981
Simplicity was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 9 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.
MASTERDISKStamped Both Sides
T I SPO-4830-A-RE 1-TH RLSide A, Variant 1, Etched
TI SPO-4830-B-T4 HWSide B, Variant 1, Etched
T2 SPO-4830-A-RE1 TH1 RLSide A, Variant 2
SPO - 4830 - A - RE1 - P RLSide A, Etched
SPO4830-B- P3 HWSide B, Etched
MASTERDISKStamped, Both Sides
P SPO - 4830 - A - RE1 - P MASTERDISK RLSide A, etched (exc. P and MASTERDISK), var. 1
P SPO4830-B- P3 MASTERDISK HWSide B, etched (exc. P and MASTERDISK), var. 1
(SP-04830)ALabel side A
(S{-04830-B)Label side B
SP. 4830 .A. RE1 INT-2 (etched) AMLH 64830 A1 MASTERDISK (stamped)Side One
SP. 4830 .B. INT-1 (etched) AMLH 64830 BI MATERDISK (stamped)Side Two
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Festival Records L 37616 (SP 4830)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64830 / A&M Records SP-4830First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | A&M Records AMLH 64830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | A&M Records AMLH 64830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4830 / A&M Records SP4830LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4830 / A&M Records SP4830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | A&M Records SP-4830First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Venezuela | A&M Records AM-7063 / A&M Records A&M-7.063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Simplicity are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP-4830.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4830, AMLH 64830, L 37616 (SP 4830), AM-7063) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK and T I SPO-4830-A-RE 1-TH RL. 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.
