Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1986
The Transformers 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.
5 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 4 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.
P(P) PAL-40430-1ASide A runout, etched Variant 1
P(P) PBL-40430-1ASide B runout, etched Variant 1
P(P) PAL-40430-1BSide A runout, etched Variant 2
P(P) PBL-40430-1BSide B runout, etched Variant 2
AL-40430-1A-2HZ:Run-out area side A hand-etched
BL-40430-1A-2HZ:Run-out area side B hand-etched
TD C-147.311-A CS-B-IIIRunout side A
TD C-147.311-B CS-B-IIIRunout side B
AL-40430-1A-2HZ: DM 1Run-out area side A hand-etched
BL-40430-1A-2HZ: DRun-out area side B hand-etched
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 | Canada | Scotti Bros. Records SZ 40430First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Scotti Bros. Records SZ 40430First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Germany | Scotti Bros. Records INT 147.311 / Teldec INT 147.311First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | UK | Epic EPC 70302First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | US | Scotti Bros. Records SZ 40430 / Scotti Bros. Records Z 40430First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | US | Volcano 61422-32015-2LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Unknown | Music On Vinyl MOVATM013 / Scotti Brothers Records, Inc. MOVATM013LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 2014 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVATM013 / Scotti Bros. Records MOVATM013LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2014 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVATM013LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Volcano 88875144321 / Legacy 88875144321All Media, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, LP, Single Sided, Etched, Stereo, LP, Single Sided, Etched, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | All Media, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, LP, Single Sided, Etched, Stereo, LP, Single Sided, Etched, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVATM013 / Scotti Bros. Records MOVATM013LP, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of The Transformers are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1986 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Canada, Germany. One of them is Scotti Bros. Records SZ 40430.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SZ 40430, EPC 70302, INT 147.311) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P(P) PAL-40430-1A and P(P) PBL-40430-1A. 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.
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