Vinyl pressings
by Bronski Beat · 1985
Hit That Perfect Beat 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.
43 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 15 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.
B I T E 6 A // 2 ▽ 4 2 0 R 1 1Side A runout stamped
ARUNSide A runout etched
B I T E 6 B // 2 ▽ 4 2 0 R 1 1Side B runout stamped
BITE 6 A // 1 ▽ 420 R ARUNSide A runout
BITE 6 B // 2 ▽ 420 RSide B runout
BITE 6 A // 1 ▽ 420 R ARUNRunout area side A variant 1
BITE 6 B // 2 ▽ 420 RRunout area side B variant 1
BITE 6 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 11 ARUNRunout area side A variant 2
BITE 6 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 11 18Runout area side B variant 2
BITER 6 A//1▽420 R 11 4Runout stamped side A
BITER 6 B//1▽420 R 11 5Runout stamped side B
BITEX 6 A // 1 ▽ 420 RSide A runout variant 1
BITEX 6 B // 1 ▽ 420 RSide B runout variant 1
BITEX 6 A // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1 1 0Side A runout variant 2
BITEX 6 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1 5Side B runout variant 2
BITEX 6 A // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1Side A runout, stamped
BITEX 6 B // 2 ▽ 420 R 1 1Side B runout, 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 | Australasia | London Records 886 007-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australasia | London Records 886 007-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australasia | London Records 886 007-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | London Records LDSX 226First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | London Records LDS 226First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Canada | London Records DJ877", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Canada | London Records LDS 226 / London Records 886 007-7First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | London Records 886 007-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | France | London Records 886 007-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | London Records 886 007-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Metronome 886 007-1 / Metronome 886 007-1 MEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Germany | Metronome 886 007-7 / London Records 886 007-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | Metronome 886 007-7 / London Records 886 007-77", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1985 | Germany | Metronome 886 007-1 / Metronome 886 007-1 MEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Greece | London Records 886 007-1First year12" | 12" |
48 vinyl pressings of Hit That Perfect Beat are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1985 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Forbidden Fruit BITE 6, released November 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BITE 6, BITER 6, BITEX 6, BITE X6) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B I T E 6 A // 2 ▽ 4 2 0 R 1 1 and ARUN. 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.
