Vinyl pressings
by Blancmange · 1985
What's Your Problem? 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.
14 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BLANX 9 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1 2Side A Runout groove, stamped, variant 1
BLANX 9 B // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1 4Side B Runout groove, stamped, variant 1
BLANX 9 A // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1 2Side A Runout groove, stamped, variant 2
BLANX 9 B // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1 1Side B Runout groove, stamped, variant 2
BLANC 9 A//1▽420 RA side Runout Stamped - Variant 1
BLANC 9 B//2▽420 RB side Runout Stamped - Variant 1
BLANC 9 A//2▽420 RA side Runout Stamped - Variant 2
BLANC 9 B//1▽420 RB side Runout Stamped - Variant 2
BLANC 9 A//2 ▽ 420 R 11Runout (stamped) side A
BLANC 9 B//2 ▽ 420 R 11Runout (stamped) side B
BLAD P 9 A//1 ▽ 420 R 1Runout (stamped) side C
BLAD P 9 B// 2 ▽ 420 R 11 2Runout (stamped) side D
BLANC 9 A // 1 ▽ 420 RRunout side A
BLANC 9 B // 1 ▽ 420 RRunout side B
ZPMSC 10762 (882 073-7)Label side A
ZPMSC 10763 (882 073-7)Label side B
261 882073 1 // 1 380 POLYGRAMRunout side A stamped
261 882073 1 // 2 380 POLYGRAMRunout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | France | London Records 882 073-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | London Records 882 073-7 / London Records BLANC 9First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | London Records 6.14454 / London Records 6.14454 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | London Records 6.20482 / London Records 6.20482 AEFirst year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Germany | London Records 6.14454 / London Records 6.14454 ACFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | London Records BLANC 9First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Italy | London Records 882 073 1First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | London Records 882 073-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | South Africa | London Records BLANC 9 / London Records 883 073-7A / BFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | UK | London Records BLANX 9 / London Records 882 073-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | London Records BLANC 9 / London Records 882073-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK | London Records BLADP 9 / London Records BLANC 9First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1985 | UK | London Records BLANX 9First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | London Records BLANC 9First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of What's Your Problem? are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, France, Germany, Ireland and more. One of them is London Records BLANX 9, released August 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLANX 9, BLANC 9, BLADP 9, 882 073-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BLANX 9 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1 2 and BLANX 9 B // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1 4. 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.
