Vinyl pressings
by Boogie Down Productions · 1988
By All Means Necessary 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.
13 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
A- ᐉ 1097-1-JARunout side A, variant 1
A- ᐉ 1097-1-JBRunout side B, variant 1
A-2 ᐉ 1097-1-JARunout side A, variant 2
A-2 ᐉ 1097-1-JBRunout side B, variant 2
1097-1-JA 1-1Runout side A etched
1097-1-J-B-5 1-2Runout side B etched
SRC (Large S with the R and C in the loops)Runout both side stamped
1097-1-J-ALabel side A
1097-1-JA EMWDeadwax - Side A
1097-1-J-B EMWDeadwax - Side B
1097-1-J-ALabel - Side A
1097-1-J-BLabel - Side B
1097-1-JA 1-1Runout side A etched
1097-1-J-B-5 1-2Runout side B etched
SRC (Large S with the R and C in the loops)Runout both side stamped
1097-1-J-ALabel side A
HIP-63 - A1 DB Tape One DAMONT MTside A
HIP-63 - B DB Tape One DAMONT MTside B
HIP-63 - A1 DB Tape One DAMONT MT. R 2LP A Side Runout Etched
HIP-63 - B DB Tape One DAMONT MT. M 2LP B Side Runout Etched
JIVE T 170 - A2 DB TAPE One DAMONT MT. F12" A Side Runout Etched
JIVE T 170 - B1 DB TAPE One DAMONT MT.1 M12" B Side Runout Etched
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 | Brazil | Jive 140.8048First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Jive 1097-1-JFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Jive HIP 63First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | Germany | Jive 6.26827First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Jive ZL 71906First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Jive HIP 63First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Jive HIP 63 / Jive JIVE T 170First yearLP, Album, 12", 45 RPM, Single, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, 12", 45 RPM, Single, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | UK | Jive HIP 63First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Jive HIP 63First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Jive 1097-1-JFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Jive 1097-1-JFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Jive 1097-1-JFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Jive 1097-1-JFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Jive GET 51302 LP / Sony Music Commercial Music Group GET 51302 LPLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Jive GET 51302 LP / Sony Music Commercial Music Group GET 51302 LPLP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1460 / Jive MOVLP1460LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1460 / Jive MOVLP1460LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Jive 19658820771 / RCA 19658820771LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Europe | Jive 19958413851 / RCA 19958413851LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Boogie Down Productions)LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
20 vinyl pressings of By All Means Necessary are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1988 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Jive 1097-1-J.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1097-1-J, HIP 63, 140.8048, 6.26827) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A- ᐉ 1097-1-JA and A- ᐉ 1097-1-JB. 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.
