Vinyl pressings
by Betty Wright · 1985
Pain was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year. 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.
P(AP) F̶S̶-̶A̶-̶7̶0̶0̶1̶ ̶-̶ ̶1̶ P D-252-A-1 Criteria MF CSide A runout
P(AP) F̶S̶-̶B̶-̶7̶0̶0̶1̶ ̶-̶ ̶1̶ P D-252-B-1 Criteria MF CSide B runout
D-252-ASide A label
D-252-BSide B label
A-7001 Criteria MF IIISide A runout
B-7001 Criteria MF IIISide B runout
F-965-ALabel A
F-965-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | US | First String Records D-252First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | US | Ms.B Records 7001First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | US | First String Records F-965First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1985 | US | Ms.B Records 7001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Ms.B Records 7001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Belgium | Cooltempo COOLX 117 / Cooltempo COOLX 25212", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Cooltempo COOLX 11712", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Cooltempo COOL 1177", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Cooltempo COOLX 11712", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1986 | UK | Cooltempo COOLX 11712", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | UK | Permanent Records 12PERM412", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1992 | UK | Permanent Records 12PERM412", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
12 vinyl pressings of Pain are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1985 and 1992.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US. One of them is First String Records D-252.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use D-252, 7001, F-965) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P(AP) F̶S̶-̶A̶-̶7̶0̶0̶1̶ ̶-̶ ̶1̶ P D-252-A-1 Criteria MF C and P(AP) F̶S̶-̶B̶-̶7̶0̶0̶1̶ ̶-̶ ̶1̶ P D-252-B-1 Criteria MF C. 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.
