VinylAI 
Data as of Oct 20, 2026
Carpenters – A Kind Of Hush
1976 · US · A&M Records · Vinyl LP Album
Price guide
Estimated market value via Discogs · as of Oct 28, 2026
- MMint
- $16.39
- NMNear Mint
- $14.66
- VG+Very Good Plus
- $11.21
- VGVery Good
- $7.76
- G+Good Plus
- $4.31
- GGood
- $2.59
- FFair
- $1.73
- PPoor
- $0.86
81 copies listed on Discogs from $1.06.
These are reference estimates from Discogs sold/asking data for this exact pressing, not offers and not a guaranteed price. Actual value depends on condition, completeness and current demand. Any active seller offers on this page are listed separately above.
Offers · 1
- $11ref VA-FKKCNMedia VG+ · Very Good Plus🇺🇸 Ships from United States
The Discogs price estimate is a separate reference; offer prices above are sellers’ own.
New to condition grades like NM or VG? Read our vinyl grading guide →
Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- AM SP 4897 P5p AM SP 4897 P5p AM SP 4897 P5 1 /\
- Runout — side B
- AM SP 4898 P5p AM SP 4897 P7p AM SP 4898 P5 1 5
- Rights society
- ASCAP, BMI
- Pressed By
- Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman
Specifications
- Artist
- Carpenters
- Style
- Pop Rock
- Year
- 1976
- Label
- A&M Records
- Catalog number
- SP-4581
- Country
- US
Tracklist
- A1There's A Kind Of Hush2:57
- A2You3:45
- A3Sandy3:38
- A4Goofus3:32
- A5Can't Smile Without You3:26
- B1I Need To Be In Love3:47
- B2One More Time3:30
- B3Boat To Sail3:29
- B4I Have You3:25
- B5Breaking Up Is Hard To Do2:34
- Producer [Associate]
- Karen Carpenter
- Producer, Arranged By, Orchestrated By
- Richard Carpenter
- Mastered By
- Frank DeLuna
- Engineer
- Ray Gerhardt
- Engineer [Assistant]
- David Iveland
- Design [& Album Concept]
- J. Scarkino
About this record
The Columbia Records Pressing Plant in Pitman stamped this 1976 A&M pressing with matrix codes that vary subtly across copies—some show a faint 'p' prefix in the dead wax, marking a distinct manufacturing batch. With 81 copies currently for sale and a Mint-to-Good spread running from 16.39 down to 2.59, condition sorting dominates the secondary market here.
What drives its value
A Kind Of Hush trades on condition more than rarity. The price guide shows a Mint copy at 16.39 USD, dropping to 14.66 in Near Mint, then a steeper fall to 11.21 in VG+—a 3.45 USD gap that reflects how quickly wear erodes value on this pop-rock standard.
A VG copy slides to 7.76, and anything below Good (4.31) trades as filler stock. The lowest asking price sits at 1.06 USD, but that reflects severe damage or a lot sale.
Community data shows 1658 collectors own it against only 112 wanting one, confirming this is a common pressing rather than a hunt. The SP-4581 catalogue number is the standard US issue; the variant SP-4898 exists but does not command a premium.
How to appraise this pressing
Confirm this pressing by the catalogue number SP-4581 stamped on the label and the dead-wax matrix codes: look for AM SP 4897 P5 or AM SP 4898 P5 in the runout groove. Some copies carry a faint 'p' prefix before the matrix string, denoting a later batch from the same Pitman plant.
The label reads A&M Records with the 1976 copyright. Grade by checking for hairline scratches under bright light; even light play moves a Mint (16.39 USD) copy down to NM (14.66 USD).
Surface noise audible on quiet passages signals VG+ (11.21 USD) or lower. Warp, seam splits, or writing on the sleeve drop value sharply.
No barcode appears on original 1976 stock.
Further reading: grading a record, how to sell vinyl.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
"p" faintly stamped in runouts denotes a pressing.
℗ 1976 A&M Records, Inc. Printed in U.S.A. Also available Stereo (SP-7898)
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Other pressings of this release
Different editions of the same album — pressing decides value.
Frequently asked
What is the price difference between a Mint and a VG+ copy?
According to the price guide, a Mint copy is valued at 16.39 USD and a VG+ at 11.21 USD. The 5.18 USD gap reflects how sensitive buyers are to surface condition on this common pressing. These are guide estimates; actual sales vary.
How do I tell if my copy is from the Pitman pressing plant?
Check the dead-wax runout groove under a bright light. This pressing was made at Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Pitman. The matrix codes AM SP 4897 P5 or AM SP 4898 P5 confirm the plant and batch. Some later copies show a faint 'p' prefix before the matrix.
Is the SP-4898 catalogue variant worth more than SP-4581?
No. Both are 1976 A&M US pressings; SP-4898 is simply an alternate catalogue number for the same release. Neither commands a premium over the other. Condition, not catalogue number, drives value here.
Why is there a 1.06 USD listing when the guide says Good is 2.59 USD?
The lowest asking price of 1.06 USD likely represents a heavily damaged or water-stained copy, or a bulk-lot price. The price guide value of 2.59 USD for a Good grade assumes playable condition with visible wear. Severe damage justifies a lower asking price.
How common is this pressing in the collector market?
Very common. The community database shows 1658 collectors own it and only 112 want one—a 15:1 have-to-want ratio. With 81 copies currently for sale, supply exceeds demand, keeping prices low except in top grades.