Vinyl pressings
by Alphaville · 1984
Big In Japan was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
66 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 24 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.
R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 ARunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 B2Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 A SNBRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 B2 SNBRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 249417-0 A High Dynamic Mastering by SNB 12Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 249417-0 B 6B High Dynamic Mastering by SNB 16Runout side B
R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 ARunout side A
R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 B2Runout side B
84/501-ALabel side A
84/501-BLabel side B
SNB F [D crossed] R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 ARunout, side A
SNB 1φ R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 B2Runout, side B
84/501-AOn label, side A
84/501-BOn label, side B
R/S Alsdorf 249505-0 A SNBA-side runout, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249505-0 B D SNBB-side runout, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 249505-0 A SNB 65A-side runout, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 249505-0 B D SNB 79B-side runout, variant 2
X9505A DAMONT *MT* NWA side run-out etching
X9505B DAMONT *MT*B side run-out etching
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 | Germany | WEA 24-9505-7 N7", 45 RPM, Advance, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Advance, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Australia | WEA 7-249505First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Bolivia | WEA WS-9097First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Brazil | WEA 601.7013First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | Brazil | WEA 18.099 / WEA 229249505-7First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 94170First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 95057First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 95057First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 94170First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | WEA 24 95057First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Ecuador | WEA 45-91041 / WEA 7-89665First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 24-9505-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Europe | WEA 24 9505-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | France | WEA 24 9505-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | WEA 24 9505-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
68 vinyl pressings of Big In Japan are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1983 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Germany, UK, US, Netherlands and more. One of them is WEA 24-9505-7, released January 14, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 24-9505-7, 249 417-0, 24-9505-0 D, X9505) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 A and R/S Alsdorf 249505-7 B2. 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.
