Germany
1985- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records 395 097-1
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
395 097-1 S 1 320 1 BRunout A, stamped
395 097-1 S 2 320 1 BRunout B, stamped
Vinyl pressings
What If
by Tommy Shaw · 1985
17 pressings8 countriesPop RockRock
What If was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of What If
16 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
Germany
1985- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records 395 097-1
- Format
- LP, Album · Misprint
- Runout / matrix
395 097-1 S 1 320Runout side A
395 097-1 S 2 320Runout side B
US
1985- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-5097A&M Records SP 5097
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SP06097A-RCA 2 TML-S I A1 FSide A variant 1, etched except "TML-S I A1" stamped
SP06097B-RCA 2 TML-S I A1 FSide B variant 1, etched except "TML-S I A1" stamped
SP06097A-RCA 2 TML-S I A4 BSide A variant 2, etched except "TML-S I A4" stamped
SP06097B-RCA 2 TML-S I A1 ESide B variant 2, etched except "TML-S I A1" stamped
US
1985- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-5097A&M Records SP 5097
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SP06097A-ESI TML-XRunout side A
SP06097A-ESI TML-XRunout side B
US
1985- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-5097A&M Records SP 5097
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
SP06097A-RCA 2 TML-S I A1 CEtched Side A, except "TML-S I A1" stamped
SP06097B-RCA 2 TML-S I A2 BEtched Side B, except "TML-S I A1" stamped
US
1985- Label and catalog number
- A&M Records SP-5097A&M Records SP 5097
- Format
- LP, Album · B Label
- Runout / matrix
SPO 5097A-ES1 TML-X EmwSide 1
SPO 05097B-ES1 TML-X EmwSide 2
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 17 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s16 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | A&M Records SP-5097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 395 097-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | A&M Records 395 097-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | A&M Records 395097-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Greece | A&M Records 395097-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1985 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28134First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | A&M Records C28Y3033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | A&M Records AML-1016 / Alpha Records Corporation SP-5097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | A&M Records 829 016-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records SP-5097 / A&M Records SP 5097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records SP-5097 / A&M Records SP 5097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records SP-5097 / A&M Records SP 5097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | A&M Records SP-5097 / A&M Records SP 5097First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | A&M Records AMLH 65097LP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1Jealousy4:43
- A2Remo's Theme (What If)4:22
- A3Reach For The Bottle5:42
- A4Friendly Advice3:26
- A5This Is Not A Test3:26
- B1See Me Now3:42
- B2True Confessions3:26
- B3Count On You6:09
- B4Nature Of The Beast4:06
- B5Bad Times2:44
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of What If are there?
17 vinyl pressings of What If are listed here, from 8 countries.
When was What If first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Germany, US, Canada, Greece and more. One of them is A&M Records 395 097-1.
How do I tell if my copy of What If is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 395 097-1, SP-5097, 395097-1, AMP-28134) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 395 097-1 S 1 320 1 B and 395 097-1 S 2 320 1 B. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is What If on vinyl worth?
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.