Vinyl pressings
by Billy Bragg · 1986
Levi Stubbs' Tears 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.
10 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 5 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.
GODX 12 A // 2 ▽ 420 C timtomSide A runout - variant 1
GODX 12 B // 2 ▽ 420 C TYSide B runout - variant 1
GODX 12 A // 2 ▽ 420 C 11 21 timtomSide A runout - variant 2
GODX 12 B // 2 ▽ 420 C 11 4 TYSide B runout - variant 2
GOD 12 A // 2 ▼ 420 C 1 1 timtomRunout side A, variant 1
GOD 12 B // 1 ▼ 420 C 1 1 3Runout side B, variant 1
GOD 12 A // 2 ▼ 420 C 1 2 timtomRunout side A, variant 2
GOD 12 B // 1 ▼ 420 C 1 1Runout side B, variant 2
GOD 12 A // 2 ▼ 420 C 1 1 timtomRunout side A
GOD 12 B // 1 ▼ 420 C 1 1 1 1Runout side B
MX-LMD-487-ASide A
MX-LMD-487-BSide B
LS 1867 ARunout Side A
LS 1867 BRunout Side B
MX-LS-1867ALabel Side A
MX-LS-1867BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | Polydor POLSX 114First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1986 | Germany | Line Records LIEP 3.00006 E / Line Records LIEP 3.00006First year12", EP, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", EP, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Germany | Line Records LIS 1.00019 / Line LIS 1.00019First year7" · Colored vinyl | 7" · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Festival Records X 14299First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Go! Discs GOD 12First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | Go! Discs GODX 12First year12", 45 RPM, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Go! Discs GODX 12 / Go! Discs GOD X12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Go! Discs GOD 12First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Liberation Records LMD 487First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Liberation Records LS-1867 / Go! Discs LS 1867First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Go! Discs GOD X1212", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Levi Stubbs' Tears are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Go! Discs GODX 12, released June 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GODX 12, GOD 12, LMD 487, LS-1867) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GODX 12 A // 2 ▽ 420 C timtom and GODX 12 B // 2 ▽ 420 C TY. 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.
