Vinyl pressings
by Chic · 1983
Believer was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
ST-A-835301-A [logo big S with c r inside] MASTERDISK RL 1.1SMi-ISide A runout
ST-A-835302-A MASTERDISK RL 1.1SMi-ISide B runout
ST-A-835301-SPSide A Label
ST-A-835302-SPSide B Label
ST-A-835301-ARSide A Label
ST-A-835302-ARSide B Label
R/S Alsdorf 780107-1 A4 24Side A
R/S Alsdorf 780107-1 B3x 15 GBSide B
78-0107-1Center Label A
78-0107-2Center Label B
78-01071-A JW [Capitol 'bullseye' logo]Side 1 runout
78-01071-B JW [Capitol 'bullseye' logo]Side 2 runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Atlantic SLIN 3472First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Atlantic 20.103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Atlantic 78 01071First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Atlantic 78-0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Germany | Atlantic 78-0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Atlantic 78 0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Atlantic 78 0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Atlantic P-11398First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Atlantic P-11398First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Atlantic 78-0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Philippines | Atlantic 80107-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Atlantic 756 78-0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Atlantic 78-0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Atlantic L 78-0107-1 / Atlantic 78 0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Atlantic 78-0107-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Believer are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Atlantic 80107-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 80107-1, 78-0107-1, SLIN 3472, 20.103) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-A-835301-A [logo big S with c r inside] MASTERDISK RL 1.1SMi-I and ST-A-835302-A MASTERDISK RL 1.1SMi-I. 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.
