Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1986
Absolute Beginners 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.
48 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 19 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.
VS 83812 A-1U-1-1-X1 BILBO. TAPE oneRunout side A, variant 1
VS 83812 B-2U-1-1-X1 BILBO. TAPE oneRunout side B, variant 1
VS 83812 A-2U-1-1- BILBO. TAPE ONERunout side A, variant 2
VS 83812 B-1U-1-2- BILBO. TAPE OneRunout side B, variant 2
VS 838 A-3U-1-X1 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side A - variant 1
VS 838 B-2U-1-X1 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side B - variant 1
VS 838 A-3U-1-X1 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side A - variant 2
VS 838 B-2U-1-X1-X1 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side B - variant 2
VS 838 A-3U-1-1-X1 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side A
VS 838 B-2U-1-1-X1 BilBo TAPE ONERunout side B
VS 83812 A-2U-1-1 BILBO TAPE ONERun-out side A, variant 1
VS 83812 B-1U-1-1 BILBO TAPE ONERun-out side B, variant 1
VS 83812 A-1U-1-1- 11 BILBO TAPE ONERun-out side A, variant 2
VS 83812 B-1U-1-2- 11 BILBO TAPE ONERun-out side B, variant 2
VSS+838+A SRT Barry WoodwardRunout side A, etched
VSS+838+B SRTRunout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin VS 838First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin VS-838First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin VS-838First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin VS 838-12First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin VS 838-12First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Brazil | Virgin 100.8073First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America S-75130First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America B-8308First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Capitol Records SPRO 290First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America B-8308First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 107 937 / Virgin 107 937-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 602 205-213 / Virgin 602 205First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Virgin 008 386First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | Virgin 008387 / Virgin 008 387First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Virgin 062-VG 2051ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
49 vinyl pressings of Absolute Beginners are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Italy, Portugal and more. One of them is Virgin VSG 838-12, released January 28, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VSG 838-12, VS 838, VS 838-12, VSS 838) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 83812 A-1U-1-1-X1 BILBO. TAPE one and VS 83812 B-2U-1-1-X1 BILBO. TAPE one. 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.
