Vinyl pressings
by Tommy Shaw · 1987
Ambition was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 7 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.
STA-876549- A-DMM SP1-8 SP-GER Sterling 4 R/S Alsdorf 781798-1-ASide A, etched [R/S... stamped]
STA-876550- A-DMM SP1-7 SP-GER Sterling 7 >S< R/S Alsdorf 781798-1-BSide B, etched [R/S... stamped]
ST-A-876549-SPSide 1 label
ST-A-876550-SPSide 2 label
P-13591-1Side One
P-13591-2Side Two
ST-A. 876549
ST-A. 876550
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Atlantic 80.694First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | Atlantic 81798-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Atlantic 78 17981First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Atlantic 781 798-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Atlantic 781 798-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic 81798-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic A1 81798LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic 81798-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Atlantic P-13591First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Japan | Atlantic P-13591First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | South Korea | Atlantic 81798-1 / Oasis Records OLW-511LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Ambition are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Atlantic 781 798-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 781 798-1, 81798-1, P-13591, 80.694) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA-876549- A-DMM SP1-8 SP-GER Sterling 4 R/S Alsdorf 781798-1-A and STA-876550- A-DMM SP1-7 SP-GER Sterling 7 >S< R/S Alsdorf 781798-1-B. 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.
