Vinyl pressings
by Beastie Boys · 1992
Check Your Head was first pressed on vinyl in 1992. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1992, the album's first year, in 4 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.
C1-1-98939-Z2 Future Disc-T.B. SRCSide A, variant 1
C1-2-98939-Z1 SRCSide B, variant 1
C1-1-98940-Z1 SRCSide C, variant 1
C1-2-98940-Z3 SRCSide D, variant 1
12548-CAP-12
EKPL 0240 ASide A runout
EKPL 0240 BSide B runout
7989391 A-1Runout side A, variant 1
7989391 B-1Runout side B, variant 1
7989401 A-1Runout side C, variant 1
7989401 B-1Runout side D, variant 1
7989391 A-01-1-2 DRunout, side A stamped, variant 1
7989391 B-01-1- -DRunout, side B stamped, variant 1
7989401 A-01-1-1-DRunout, side C stamped, variant 1
7989401 B-01-1-1-DRunout, side D stamped, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Europe | Grand Royal EST 2171 / Capitol Records 164-7 98938 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Europe | Grand Royal EST 2171 / Capitol Records 7 98938 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Europe | Capitol Records 164-7 98938 1 / Grand Royal EST 2171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | US | Capitol Records C1-98938 / Grand Royal C1-98938First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | US | Not On Label (Beastie Boys Self-released) CYH001 (L-39594)First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1992 | Ecuador | Capitol Records 321-0036 / Ifesa 321-0036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | South Korea | Capitol Records C1-98938 / Capitol Records EKPL-0240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1998 | US | Grand Royal GR066LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Europe | Grand Royal C1-94225 / Capitol Records C1-94225LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2009 | US | Capitol Records C1-94225 / Grand Royal C1-94225LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2009 | US | Capitol Records 509996 94225 1 5LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Compilation, Remastered, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Compilation, Remastered, Box Set, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Capitol Records C1-94225 / Grand Royal C1-94225LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2022 | Worldwide | Capitol Records 00602445493296 / UMe 00602445493296LP, Album, Remastered, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Remastered, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| 2022 | US | Capitol Records VMP-E119 / Grand Royal VMP-E119LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Grand Royal C1-94225 / Capitol Records C1-94225LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | US | Capitol Records C1-94225 / Grand Royal C1-94225LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | US | Capitol Records VMP-E119 / Grand Royal VMP-E119LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Stereo · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Grand Royal C1-94225 / Capitol Records C1-94225LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Grand Royal GR066 / Capitol Records EST 2171LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Capitol Records C1-94225 / Grand Royal C1-94225LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Check Your Head are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1992 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1992, in US, Ecuador, South Korea, Europe. One of them is Capitol Records C1-98938.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use C1-98938, CYH001 (L-39594), 321-0036, EST 2171) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C1-1-98939-Z2 Future Disc-T.B. SRC and C1-2-98939-Z1 SRC. 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.
