Vinyl pressings
by Altered Images · 1983
Bring Me Closer 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.
14 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 6 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.
TA-3398-A1 TOWNHOUSE ARunout side A, variant 1
TA-3398-B1 ARunout side B, variant 1
TA-3398-A1 2 TOWNHOUSE DRunout side A, variant 2
TA-3398-B1 1 4 ARunout side B, variant 2
A-3398-A1Runout side A, etched, variant 1
A-3398-B1Runout side B, etched, variant 1
A-3398-A1 4 2 TOWNHOUSE DRunout side A, etched/stamped, variant 2
A-3398-B1 3 5 B TOWNHOUSERunout side B, etched/stamped, variant 2
A3398-A1 TOWNHOUSEA side
A3398-B1 TOWNHOUSEB side
TA-3398-A1 C TOWNHOUSESide A runout
TA-3398-B1 BSide B runout
A-3398-A1 TOWNHOUSEEtched, Side A
A-3398-B1 TOWNHOUSEEtched, Side B
A-3398-A1Etched, Side A
A-3398-B1Etched, Side B
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 | Epic ES 12065First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Epic ES 872First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Epic ES 12065First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Europe | Epic EPCA 3398 / Epic A 3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Epic A 3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Epic ES 872First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Epic ES 12065First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | South Africa | Epic EN 5488First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | UK | Epic A3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Epic WA 3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1983 | UK | Epic WTA3398First year12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Stereo · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Picture Disc, Stereo · Picture disc |
| 1983 | UK | Epic A3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Epic A 3398First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Epic TA3398First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Bring Me Closer are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australia, Europe, Ireland and more. One of them is Epic TA3398, released May 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TA3398, A3398, WA 3398, WTA3398) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TA-3398-A1 TOWNHOUSE A and TA-3398-B1 A. 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.
