Vinyl pressings
by Bar-Kays · 1984
Dangerous 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.
13 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
A-3 ⟷ 422 818 478 - AS' HRM STERLINGRunout side A etched and stamped (Variant 1)
A-3 ⟷ 422 818 478 - BS' HRM STERLINGRunout side B etched and stamped (Variant 1)
A-I ⟷ 422 818 478 - I AS' HRM STERLINGRunout side A etched and stamped (Variant 2)
A-2 ⟷ 422 818 478 BS' HRM STERLINGRunout side B etched and stamped (Variant 2)
STERLINGStamped both sides
422 818 478-1 AS PRC R1-1-1-2Side A - etched, variant 1
422 818 478-1 BS PRC R1-2-1-2Side B - etched, variant 1
422 818 478-1 AS PRC R1-2-3Side A - etched, variant 2
422 818 478-1 AS PRC C 1-1-1 STERLINGSide 1 runout
422 818 478-1 BS PRC C 1-1 STERLINGSide 2 runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | Mercury 818 478First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australasia | Mercury 818 478-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | Mercury 818 478-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 818 478-1QFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Jamaica | Dynamic Sounds 818 478 1 / Mercury 818 478-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-127First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Kenya | Mercury 818 478-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 818 478-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 818 478-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-818 478-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 818 478-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-818 478-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 818 478-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-818 478-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 818 478-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-818 478-1 M-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Mercury 818 478-1 M-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
14 vinyl pressings of Dangerous are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Argentina, Australasia, Brazil and more. One of them is Mercury 818 478-1 M-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 818 478-1 M-1, 818 478, 818 478-1, 818 478-1Q) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-3 ⟷ 422 818 478 - AS' HRM STERLING and A-3 ⟷ 422 818 478 - BS' HRM STERLING. 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.
