Vinyl pressings
by Willie Nelson · 1983
Take It To The Limit was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
AL-38562-1-E P 0 denny/woodlandSide A runout etched, variant 1
BL-38562 -1A P 0 dp/woodlandSide B runout etched, variant 1
P o AL-38562-1-E denny/WOODLandSide A runout etched, o stamped, variant 2
P o BL-38562 -1A dp/WOODLandSide B runout etched, o stamped, variant 2
o G1 AL-38562 1-C denny/woodlandSide A runout
o G1 BL-38562-1-D dp/woodlandSide B runout
AL 38562Side A label
BL 38562Side B label
CBS 25351-A1 Λ
CBS 25351-B1 Λ
A MX202640 SPB 237912-1Side 1 etched, Variant 1
G MX202641 B SPB 237912-2Side 2 etched, Variant 1
A MX202640 SBP 7912-1Side 1 etched, Variant 2
G MX202641 B SBP 237912-2Side 2 etched, Variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237912First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | CBS CBS 25351First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2869First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | CBS CBS 25351First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Yugoslavia | CBS 25351 / CBS AL 38562First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Columbia FC 38562First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 38562First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 38562First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 2748LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 2748LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 2786LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 2786LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Czechoslovakia | CBS 1113 3708 / Supraphon 1113 3708LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Hallmark Records SHM 3212LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Take It To The Limit are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia FC 38562, released April 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 38562, CBS 25351, SBP 237912, ASF 2869) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-38562-1-E P 0 denny/woodland and BL-38562 -1A P 0 dp/woodland. 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.
