Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1987
Never Let Me Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 26 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.
AMLS 3117 A-1-1-2 1 DSide A runout, variant 1
AMLS 3117 B-2-1-2 1 DSide B runout, variant 1
AMLS 3117 A-1-1-1- DDSide A runout, variant 2
AMLS 3117 B-2-1-1- DDSide B runout, variant 2
PJ-1-17267-Z1 DMM RL-MASTERDISK-DMM SP1-1Runout side A, variant 1
PJ-2-17267-Z1 DMM MASTERDISK SP1-4Runout side B, variant 1
PJ-1-17267-Z1 DMM RL-MASTERDISK SP1-3Runout side A, variant 2
PJ-2-17267-Z1 DMM MASTERDISK SP1-3Runout side B, variant 2
PJ-1-17267-Z1 DMM RL-MASTERDISK-DMM SP1-1Side A etched, variant 1
PJ-2-17267-Z1 DMM MASTERDISK SP1-3Side B etched, variant 1
PJ-1-17267-Z1 DMM RL-MASTERDISK-DMM SP1-3Side A etched, variant 2
PJ-2-17267-Z1 DMM MASTERDISK SP1-4Side B etched, variant 2
PJ-1-17267-Z1 DMM RL-MASTERDISK-DMM SP1-2 o SM1-4 Δ15808 B-26781-Z1 DMM SPARA Side Runout, variant 1
PJ-2-17267-Z1 DMM MASTERDISK SP1-2 o Δ15808-X B-26782-Z1DMM SPARB Side Runout, variant 1
PJ-1-17267-Z1 DMM RL-MASTERDISK-DMM SP1-2 o- Δ15808 B-26781-Z1 DMM SPARA Side Runout, variant 2
PJ-2-17267-Z1 DMM MASTERDISK SP1-2 o- Δ15808-X B-26782-Z1DMM SPARB Side Runout, variant 2
PJ1-17267 1S 11 7-4Runout A, variant 1
PJ2-17267 1S 4Runout B, variant 1
PJ1-17267 1S 13 7-3Runout A, variant 2
PJ2-17267 1S 10Runout B, variant 2
2407461-A2Runout side A, variant 1
2407461-B2Runout side B, variant 1
2407461-A2Runout side A, variant 2
2407461-B1Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI 10020First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI America 10020 / EMI 10020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | EMI America ST 240746First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI America ST 240746First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI America ST 240746First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 064 240746First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | EMI America PJ-17267First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | EMI America PJ-517267LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Colombia | EMI 111113First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ecuador | EMI America 309-0053First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ecuador | EMI America 309-0053First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI America 1C 064-24 0746 1LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1987 | Europe | EMI America 24 0746 1 / EMI America 2407461First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | EMI America 14 576 3 / EMI America 1C 064-24 0746 1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Greece | EMI America 062-2407461First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Worldwide | Parlophone 0190295671433 / Parlophone DB 83884LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | EMI America PJ-17267LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
49 vinyl pressings of Never Let Me Down are listed here, from 29 countries, released between 1987 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Japan, Europe and more. One of them is EMI America AMLS 3117.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AMLS 3117, PJ-17267, EYS-91221, 1C 064-24 0746 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AMLS 3117 A-1-1-2 1 D and AMLS 3117 B-2-1-2 1 D. 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.
