Vinyl pressings
by Blancmange · 1983
Waves was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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.
BLANC 4 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 ARUN 1 1Runout side A variant 1
BLANC 4 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 11Runout side B variant 1
BLANC 4 A//2▽420 R 1 ARUN 12 12Runout side A variant 2
BLANC 4 B//2▽420 R 1 11 3Runout side B variant 2
BLANX 4 A//1∇420 R 1 1 1Runout A: Machine stamped
BLANX 4 B//1∇420 R 1 1 1Runout B: Machine stamped
ZPSMC 10274Label side A
ZPSMC 10275Label side B
BLANX 4 A//1∇420 R 1 1 1Runout side A, variant 1
BLANX 4 B//1∇420 R 1 1 4Runout side B, variant 1
BLANX 4 A//2∇420 R 1 1 1Runout side A, variant 2
BLANX 4 B//1∇420 R M̶ 1 1 2Runout side B, variant 2
BLANC4-A1 ARUN- DAMONTEtched side A
BLANC4-B2 DAMONTEtched side B
ZPSMC 10274Label side A
ZPSMC 10275Label side B
BLANX 4 A//1▽420 R 11 1Side A - stamped
BLANX 4 B//1▽420R M̶ 11 1Side B - stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australasia | London Records 810 114-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Colombia | London Records BLANX 4First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | London Records 290 051First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | France | London Records 100.307First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | London Records 6.13 778 / London Records 6.13778 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | London Records 6.20200 AEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | London Records 6.13778First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | London Records 810 114-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | South Africa | London Records TOS 1436First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | UK | London Records BLANX 4First year12", Advance | 12", Advance |
| 1983 | Ireland | London Records BLANC 4First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | London Records BLANC 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | London Records BLANX 4First year12", Single, 45 RPM, White Label | 12", Single, 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1983 | UK | London Records blanc 4 / London Records BLANC 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | London Records blanx 4 / London Records BLANX 4First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Waves are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Ireland, Australasia, Colombia and more. One of them is London Records BLANC 4, released February 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLANC 4, BLANX 4, blanc 4, blanx 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BLANC 4 A // 2 ∇ 420 R 1 ARUN 1 1 and BLANC 4 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 11. 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.
