Vinyl pressings
by Big Country · 1986
One Great Thing was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 12 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.
BIGC 3 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 3Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
BIGC 3Runout side A, etched, variant 1
BIGC 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 4Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
BIGCD 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1Runout side C, stamped, variant 1
BIGC 3 A-1U-1-Q-1-X1Side A runout
BIGC 3-B-1U-1-Q-1-X1Side B runout
BIGCE 3 A // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 1Side C runout
BIGCE 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 5Side D runout
BIGC 3 A-2U-1-Q1- x 1Side A runout
BIGC 3 B-2U-1-Q1 - x 1Side B runout
BIGCD 3 B//1 ∇ 420 CSide C runout
BIGCD 3 A//1 ∇ 420 CSide D runout
BIG C X 3 A // 1▽420Side A stamped
BIG - C - 312 - BOSTONSide A etched
BIG C X 3 B // 1▽420Side B stamped
BIGC 3 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 1Runout A-side
BIGC 3 B // 1 ▽ 420 C 1 1 3Runout B-side
BIGCX 3 A//2▽420 11 5Side A runout, stamped
BIG C 312 BOSTONSide A runout, etched
BIGCX 3 B//1▽420 1 2 1Side B runout, stamped
TYSide B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 888 028-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 884 983-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Vertigo SOVX 2378First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Vertigo DJV 203First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 884 983-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 888 028-1First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1986 | France | Mercury 884 983-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 884 983-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Mercury BIGC 3First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Mercury 888 028-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Mercury 884 983-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Mercury 884 983-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | South Africa | Mercury TOS 1608First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Mercury 884 983-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury BIG C3 / Mercury BIGC 3First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
34 vinyl pressings of One Great Thing are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Germany, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury BIGCD 3, released August 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BIGCD 3, BIGCE 3, BIGCX 3, BIG C3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BIGC 3 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 1 1 3 and BIGC 3. 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.
