Vinyl pressings
by Billy Idol · 1986
Don't Need A Gun 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.
6 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 3 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.
4V9-43090-AS-REI-CC2Side A Variant 1
4V9-43090-BS-REI-CC2Side B Variant 1
4V9-43090-AS-REI-CC2 GI B2 [star image] STERLINGSide A Variant 2
4V9-43090-BS- CC2: GI STERLING A8Side B Variant 2
4V9-43090-AS-REI-ES2 ☆STERLINGRunout, Side A
4V9-43090-BS-ES1 STERLINGRunout, Side B
VS - 4 - 43087 - A - DJRunout Both Sides
STERLINGRunout Both Sides Stamped
IDOLX 9 A // 1 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout
IDOL X 9 B // 1 ▽420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout
IDOLX 9-ASide A label
IDOLX 9-BSide B label
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 | South Africa | Chrysalis PD 2502First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Chrysalis IDOLX 9First year12", Promo, Single · Promo | 12", Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Chrysalis 4V9 43090First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Chrysalis VAS- 258712", Single, Test Pressing, 45 RPM · Test pressing | 12", Single, Test Pressing, 45 RPM · Test pressing |
| 1986 | US | Chrysalis VAS 2587First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Chrysalis 4V9 43090First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Chrysalis VS4 43087First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Chrysalis 4V9 4309012", Single, Test Pressing, 45 RPM · Test pressing | 12", Single, Test Pressing, 45 RPM · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Australia | Chrysalis K-1927", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | Chrysalis X 14465 / Chrysalis X-1446512", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Canada | Chrysalis CS-43090 / Chrysalis CS 4309012", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Europe | Chrysalis 888 306-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Chrysalis 108 8087", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Chrysalis 608 80812", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Chrysalis 888 3067", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
38 vinyl pressings of Don't Need A Gun are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, South Africa. One of them is Chrysalis 4V9 43090.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4V9 43090, VAS 2587, VS4 43087, IDOLX 9) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 4V9-43090-AS-REI-CC2 and 4V9-43090-BS-REI-CC2. 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.
