Vinyl pressings
by Bonfire · 1986
Don't Touch The Light 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.
5 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.
DM-B 4955-A1 2Runout, side A stamped, variant 1, 2
DM-B 4955-B1 2Runout, side B stamped, variant 1
DM-B 4955 B3-12/86Runout, side B stamped, variant 2
DM B-4955 A-3/12-86Runout, side A stamped, variant 3
6233-1-RA -1 F/W ¢ I A/DSide A Variant 1
6233-1-RB -1 I A/CSide B Variant 1
A - ³ ⊳ 6233 ∙1∙RA-Side A Variant 2
A -| ⊳ 6233 ∙1∙RB-Side B Variant 2
DM-B 4955-A1 2Side A Stamped
DM-B 4955-B1 2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Europe | MSA Records ZL 71046 / MSA Records ZL71046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | MSA Records ZL 71046 / RCA ZL 71046First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | MSA Records RCLP 20397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Portugal | MSA Records ZL71046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | RCA Victor 6233-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | RCA Victor 6233-1-RLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | MSA Records RPL-8373LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | MSA Records RPL-8373LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Korea | RCA SRPR-166LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | MSA Records WL 74508LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | MSA Records WL 74508LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Don't Touch The Light are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1986 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Germany, US, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is MSA Records ZL 71046.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZL 71046, 6233-1-R, RCLP 20397, ZL71046) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM-B 4955-A1 2 and DM-B 4955-B1 2. 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.
