Vinyl pressings
by Bon Jovi · 1988
Bad Medicine was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 11 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.
870-657-7-2-59953-SR-DMM SterlingRunout side A etched - variant 1
870-657-7-2-59962-SR-DMM SterlingRunout side B etched - variant 1
870-657-7-2-59953-SR-DMM SP I - J SterlingRunout side A etched - variant 2
870-657-7-2-59962-SR-DMM SP. I - I SterlingRunout side B etched - variant 2
SP-CBS 870-657-7-2-59953-SR-DMM 21 SP 1-1 SM 1-G1 Sterling B1A-Side runout, variant 1
SP-CBS 870-657-7-2-59962-SR-DMM C1 SP 1-1 SM 1-G1 Sterling B2B-Side runout, variant 1
SP-CBS 870-657-7-2-59953-SR-DMM 21 SP 1-1 SM 1-G1 Sterling B21A-Side runout, variant 2
SP-CBS 870-657-7-2-59962-SR-DMM C1 SP 1-1 SM 1-G1 Sterling B12B-Side runout, variant 2
JOV 3 A 2 LYN - 21372 L21372 I DB TAPEONESide A
JOV 3 B 2 LYN - 21373 K DB TAPETWOSide B
JOV 3 A 2 2 LYN - 2I372 D DB.TAPEONERunout etched side A
JOV 3 B 2 2 LYN - 21373 DB. TAPEONE ERunout etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | Vertigo 870 657-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Vertigo 870 657-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Vertigo 870 657-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury 870 657-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury DJM 288First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Europe | Vertigo 870 657-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Vertigo 870 657-1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1988 | Europe | Vertigo 872185-1First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Vertigo 872 185 1First year12", EP | 12", EP |
| 1988 | Europe | Vertigo 872 185-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Greece | Vertigo 870 657-112", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Mexico | Polygram S/N 813First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Netherlands | Vertigo 870 657-1First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | Portugal | Vertigo 870 657-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | South Africa | Vertigo PD 2616First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | US | Collectables COL 48417", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| 1998 | Greece | Vertigo / PolyGram12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Bad Medicine are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1988 and 1998.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Japan, Europe and more. One of them is Mercury 870 657-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 870 657-7, PRO 635-1, 870 657-7 DJ, 870 989-7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 870-657-7-2-59953-SR-DMM Sterling and 870-657-7-2-59962-SR-DMM Sterling. 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.
