Vinyl pressings
by Timbuk 3 · 1986
Greetings From Timbuk 3 was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 8 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.
IRS 5320 ML-4Side A Run-outs [Variant 1]
IRS 5321 ML-3Side B Run-outs [Variant 1]
IRS 5320 ML-3Side A runout [Variant 2]
IRS 5321 ML-3Side B runout [Variant 2]
IRS-5320 ML-4 TML-M ◈-P-◈Side A runout
IRS 5321 ML-3 ◈-P-◈ TML-XSide B runout
IRS5320Side A label
IRS5321Side B label
MIRF1015 A/1 JA MIRF1016 A1 6 MT.Runout side A, etched [MIRF1016 A1 crossed out]
MIRF1015 B/1 MIRF1016B1 MT.Runout side B, etched [MIRF1016B1 crossed out]
144.931 A -1-1-7 IRS-5320 EL CRunout A, etched
144.931 B -1-1-9 IRS-5321 EL CRunout B, etched
IRS-5320Side A, label
IRS-5321Side B, label
IRS 5739-A CR IRS 5320 ML-2 TML-M ▣-⊟-▣Runout Side A
CR IRS 5739-B IRS 5321 ML-1 TML-X ▣-⊟-▣Runout Side B
(IRS5320)Matrix Label Side 1
(IRS5321)Matrix Label Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ELPS 4573First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Epic 144931 / Epic 144.931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-5739 / I.R.S. Records I.R.S.-5739First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | I.R.S. Records IRS-5739 / I.R.S. Records I.R.S.-5739First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | I.R.S. Records I.R.S.-5739 / I.R.S. Records IRS 5739LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILP 450107 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | I.R.S. Records ILP 450107 1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1986 | Japan | I.R.S. Records 28AP 3262First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | I.R.S. Records 28AP 3262First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records MIRF 1015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-5739First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records I.R.S. 5739LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records I.R.S.-5739 / I.R.S. Records IRS-5739First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records I.R.S. 5739LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Spain | Illegal Records ILP 450107 1LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Greetings From Timbuk 3 are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRS-5739.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRS-5739, I.R.S.-5739, MIRF 1015, ELPS 4573) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, IRS 5320 ML-4 and IRS 5321 ML-3. 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.
