Vinyl pressings
by Bryan Ferry · 1986
...Is Your Love Strong Enough? 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.
31 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 14 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.
FERRX 4 A//1▽420 T 1 1Runout Side A Variant 1 [machine-stamped]
FERRX 4 B//2▽420 T 1 1Runout Side B Variant 1 [machine-stamped]
FERRX 4 A//2▽420 T 1 1 5Runout Side A Variant 2 [machine-stamped]
FERRX 4 B//1▽420 T 1 1 1Runout Side B Variant 2 [machine-stamped]
FERRY 4 A // 2 ∇420T BILBO.TAPE ONE MTRunout side A, variant 1
FERRY 4 B // 1 ∇420T BILBO.TAPE ONE MTRunout side B, variant 1
FERRY 4 A // 1 ∇420T BILBO.TAPE ONE MT.Runout side A, variant 2
FERRY 4 B // 1 ∇420T BILBO.TAPE ONE MT.Runout side B, variant 2
FERRX 4 A//2△420T MT BILBO TAPE ONERun-out area A-side
FERRX 4 B//1△420T MT BILBO TAPE ONERun-out area B-side
FERDJ-4-A3 BILBO.TAPE ONE 1 1Etched Side A
FERRY 4 B // 2∇420 T BILBO.TAPE ONE MTStamped + Etched Side B
MCA-5278-MD2 MARSTERDISKRunout (Hand-Etched/Stamped) Side A
MCA-5384-B-MD3 MARSTERDISKRunout (Hand-Etched/Stamped) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | EG 883 303-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52788First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-23620First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | France | EG 883 803-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | EG 883 803-7 / Polydor 883 803-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Germany | EG 883 803-1 Y / EG 883 803-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | EG 883 803-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Greece | EG 883 803-112", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Ireland | Polydor FERRY 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | EG 883 803-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Italy | EG 883 803-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Japan | EG 12MM-7029First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | EG 883 803-7 / Polydor 883 803-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | EG 883 803-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
32 vinyl pressings of ...Is Your Love Strong Enough? are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Germany, Australasia and more. One of them is EG FERRX 4, released March 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FERRX 4, FERRY 4, FERRX 4-DJ, FERDJ 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FERRX 4 A//1▽420 T 1 1 and FERRX 4 B//2▽420 T 1 1. 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.
