Synchronicity - variations of the US LP

The master release page of The Police - Synchronicity is far from the largest on this site. But when it comes to
variations of a specific album, the US LP release SP-3735 is perhaps in a league of its own.
Some sources say 36 different editions of the red, yellow and blue sleeve, Goldmine says 93.

Club editions, promos, coloured vinyl etc. are likely included in the estimate.
I have left those out here and only concentrated this topic on the common 3-coloured sleeve release.

After checking Discogs entries and other trustworthy websites, it luckily became sufficient to put
sole focus on one unique difference between 30 editions found so far;

Variations of front cover
1. The 3 coloured stripes exist in 3 different orders from top to bottom. (BRY, RYB and YBR)
2, Each stripe features several images of one band member. (4 different orders from top to bottom found)
(2 covers are found where all are mix-pictured)
3. A particular image may appear at various positions from left to right on a stripe.
(a particular image on one front cover isn't necessarily featured on another)

PATTERNS
- BRY front has always YBR on back cover.
- RYB front has always BRY on back cover.
- YBR front has always RYB on back cover.
- The A&M logo on back has always same colour as top stripe on front.
- Differently coloured editions which have the exact same image artwork on front,
also have the exact same (and another set of) image artwork on back sleeve.
Example: Synchronicity

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TEST

More than 3,000 owners of SP-3735 are ed at Discogs. Albums for sale: 130+.

If you happen to own or to sell a copy, please check if it matches any of the variants listed below.
1. Check the colour order from top to bottom.
2. Check the member order from top to bottom.
3. Spot the position of selected top image.

BRY = Blue/Red/Yellow front (with member order from top) + (selected top image - position):
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - right)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - mid)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - mid)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - right)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (clock - left)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (goat - mid)
Sting/Andy/Stewart (Jungbook - right)
Sting/Andy/Stewart (skeleton - right)
Sting/Stewart/Andy (textsheet - left)
Sting/Stewart/Andy (skeleton - left)
Mixed member pics (skull - mid)
Mixed member pics (nude girl - left)

RYB = Red/Yellow/Blue front (with member order from top) + (selected top image - position):
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - right)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - mid)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - right)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - mid)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (goat - mid)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (clock - left)
Sting/Andy/Stewart (Jungbook - right)
Sting/Stewart/Andy (skeleton - left)
Sting/Stewart/Andy (textsheet - left)

YBR = Yellow/Blue/Red front (with member order from top) + (selected top image - position):
Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - mid)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - right)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - mid)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - right)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (goat - mid)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (clock - left)
Sting/Andy/Stewart (Jungbook - right)
Sting/Stewart/Andy (textsheet - left)
Sting/Stewart/Andy (skeleton - left)

A linked edition of your copy is already a Discogs entry.
An unlinked/not found edition of your copy: Please add a new Discogs entry!

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IMPLEMENTING THE DIFFERENCES OF SP-3735 INTO DISCOGS

Given that all editions of SP-3735 having the potential being added to the database,
a variant description system should be implemented sooner the better.
Another dimension to have in Discogs mind, is whether or not a specific edition was pressed at several plants.
At least 4 plants were involved in the pressing process: RCA, Europadisk, Electrosound and Monarch.

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EXAMPLE OF UPDATING - Synchronicity

- Add colour order in free text field. (Blue, Red, Yellow) = BRY.
Format shows LP, Album, BRY on release/master page.

- Every 'BRY' edition contains a link to all other BRY editions in release notes:

Blue/Red/Yellow front. Several editions of the 'BRY' cover exist.

Member order from top + selected top image - position:
Andy/Sting/Stewart + tub - right
Stewart/Andy/Sting + clock - left (this edition)
Stewart/Andy/Sting + goat - mid
Sting/Andy/Stewart + skeleton - right
Sting/Stewart/Andy + textsheet - left
Sting/Stewart/Andy + skeleton - left
Mixed member pics + skull - mid
Mixed member pics + nude girl - left
------------------------------------------

All linked Discogs entries are thoroughly checked and afaics correct with matching images.
My proposal is to start off a project with an update of those 12.
I also suggest a link to this topic on the MR page.
Every new contribution gets updated in this topic and on its release page.

Questions/opinions/suggestions/corrections are much welcome.
Thanks!

Why wasn't the link to this posting entered in the histories of the subs you mass edited so as to give s an opportunity to express

hompahey
Questions/opinions/suggestions/corrections

You didn't even bump the thread once

P.S. edit...The variations aren't even mentioned or listed on MR page. That is where they would have been more useful, rather than on each individual sub themselves.

You actually deleted my full description of the release, which belonged on the sub, to list other subs. WTH?!!

P.S. edit...These releases are different front and back - different orders of images. By removing the description as I had it entered (quite adequately I believe) you have removed important data, IMO. http://discogs.librosgratis.biz/history?release=4006396#latest

mossinterest
Why wasn't the link to this posting entered in the histories of the subs you mass edited so as to give s an opportunity to express

This post was an invitation to opinions particularly regarding a mass edit on the regular LP subs.
No replies. No protests. Ok.

4 months later I decide to go ahead with the project.
Starting off sorting the regulars. Then the purple vinyl albums. Same method, same principle.

mossinterest
You didn't even bump the thread once

Can't quite agree I made a mistake by not bumping this thread. Would it have caught more attention a 2nd time?

Nevertheless, mass edits are done. So it's time for judgement:

REGULAR ALBUM
Blue/Red/Yellow front cover:
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - right)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - mid)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (clock - left)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (goat - mid)
Sting/Andy/Stewart (skeleton - right)
Sting/Stewart/Andy (textsheet - left)
Sting/Stewart/Andy (skeleton - left)
Mixed member pics (skull - mid)
Mixed member pics (nude girl - left)
Red/Yellow/Blue:
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - right)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - mid)
Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - mid)
Stewart/Andy/Sting (goat - mid)
Yellow/Blue/Red:
Sting/Stewart/Andy (skeleton - left)

PURPLE VINYL:
BRY - Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - mid)
BRY - Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - right)
BRY - Andy/Sting/Stewart (tub - right)
BRY - Stewart/Andy/Sting (clock - left)
BRY - Stewart/Andy/Sting (goat - mid)
BRY - Sting/Andy/Stewart (skeleton - right)
BRY - Sting/Andy/Stewart (textsheet - left)
BRY - Sting/Stewart/Andy (skeleton - left)
BRY - Sting/Stewart/Andy (textsheet - left)
BRY - Mixed member pics (nude girl - left)
BRY - Mixed member pics (skull - mid)
RYB - Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - right)
RYB - Stewart/Andy/Sting (clock - left)
YBR - Andy/Sting/Stewart (phone - right)

mossinterest

P.S. edit...The variations aren't even mentioned or listed on MR page. That is where they would have been more useful, rather than on each individual sub themselves.

Any can now see the variations on every sub and almost instantly find their version (or enter a new).
More preferable than an extended list hidden on the MR page, no?

mossinterest
P.S. edit...These releases are different front and back - different orders of images. By removing the description as I had it entered (quite adequately I believe) you have removed important data, IMO.

From initial post, under PATTERNS:
"- Differently coloured editions which have the exact same image artwork on front,
also have the exact same (and another set of) image artwork on back sleeve."

Or:
If you spot a skeleton at far left on top stripe of front cover,
there's always a textsheet with Sting pictured at left on top stripe of back cover.

So I chose to cut the cover description as much as possible.

mossinterest
WTH?!!

Ouch.
The only notable so far, speaking positive or negative.
Frankly not my plan to spend time on this only to offend other s work!

Luckily, the actions done are revertible at any time.
I'm prepared for the green light.

hompahey
More preferable than an extended list hidden on the MR page, no?

No. How would it be hidden? You open the MR page and there it is...a list of all the variants. NOW it is hidden on individual subs. I can't comprehend that perspective that it's more helpful. You seem to want to do this backwards. Mass edit first, then discuss it. That is not even close to what management directs for mass edits... Discuss it first, then mass edit.

You deleted important info (complete description) regarding my specific copy, in favor of a list of impartial descriptions of all the other variant releases in MR. Your partial descriptions do not even come close to revealing the important variations front and back (as I had it). I don't understand what reasoning brought you to the conclusion the descriptions I already had in the notes were insignificant and caused you to delete them.

hompahey
Nevertheless, mass edits are done. So it's time for judgement

My judgement, which doesn't seem to interest you, is that you deleted important data and replaced it with a list of partial descriptions, when the list should have been listed on the MR. I am quite certain there will be those of whom disagree with my explanation and yours, but that is why the guidelines are quite clear to discuss it before a mass edit takes place, not afterwards. I have yet to find ONE instance where you provided a link to invite ANYONE to discuss your reasons. That's my judgement.

I have two -- both purple vinyl, both exact same deadwax. Different covers, one I don't see listed:

RYB - Sting/Stewart/Andy (textsheet left)
BRY- Stewart/Andy/Sting (clock left)

The RYB sting/stewart/andy (textsheet left) I never see! Except the one in front of me.

Both are outstanding pressings. RCA2 on side 1, RCA6 on side 2

I'd enter here on discogs but not sure I'm following whatever submission guidelines that are being established.

jlw2000
The RYB sting/stewart/andy (textsheet left) I never see! Except the one in front of me.

Nice find!

jlw2000
I'd enter here on discogs but not sure I'm following whatever submission guidelines that are being established.

No worries. Please add to the database.

You can copy to draft from this release: Synchronicity and then edit the following in release notes:
- Change from Blue/Red/Yellow (BRY) front cover - > Red/Yellow/Blue (RYB) front cover
- Remove the wording "this entry"
- Add your variant to the list as "this entry"

Runout information:
Please doublecheck that all info is exact same.

After you've submitted, I'll help providing the necessary album links.

Thanks very much!