Vinyl pressings
by C.C. Catch · 1986
Heartbreak Hotel 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.
15 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 608405 A-2/8-86Runout side A, variant 1
DM 608405 B-2/8-86Runout side B, variant 1
DM 608405 A-2/8-86 IIIRunout side A, variant 2
DM 608405 B-2/8-86 IIRunout side B, variant 2
DM DS 108405 A-2/86 IIRunout A, variant 1
DM DS 108405 B-2/86 IIRunout B, variant 1
DM DS 108405 A-2/86 IIIRunout A, variant 2
DM DS 108405 B-2/86 IIIRunout B, variant 2
MRCS 2171 ALabel Side A
MRCS 2171 BLabel Side B
MRCX 122171 - A 60253 2 1Runout A
MRCX 122171 - B 60254 3 1Runout B
MRCX 122171 ALabel A
MRCX 122171 BLabel B
DM DS 108405 A-2/8-86 IIRunout side A
DM DS 108405 B-2/8-86Runout side B
S 108 405 ALabel side A
S 108 405 BLabel side B
DM DS 108405 A-4/10-86
DM DS 108405 B-3/10-86
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 | Hansa 108 405 / Hansa 108 405-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mega Records MRCS 2171 / Mega Records MRCX 2171First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Mega Records MRCX 122171 / Mega Records MRCS 2171First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Hansa 108 405First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Hansa 108 405First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mega Records MRCS 2171First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mega Records MRCX 122171First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Music-Box MAXI 45First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Hansa 17.608405.35First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Hansa 17.108405.17First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Ariola F-608.405First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | Ariola A-108.405First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Spain | Ariola Eurodisc S.A. A-108.405First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | Hansa 608 405 / Hansa 608 405-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | Hansa 608 405 / Hansa 608 405-213First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Heartbreak Hotel are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, Germany, Austria, & Switzerland, Greece, Portugal and more. One of them is Hansa 608 405, released August 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 608 405, 108 405, MRCS 2171, MRCX 122171) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM 608405 A-2/8-86 and DM 608405 B-2/8-86. 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.
