Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1986
Underground 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.
47 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.
12 EA 216 A-1-1-3-3 DRunout Side A variant 1, stamped
12 EA 216 B-1-1-1-1 DRunout Side B variant 1, stamped
12 EA 216 A-1-1-2-X1 DRunout Side A variant 2, stamped
12 EA 216 B-1-1-1-3 DRunout Side B variant 2, stamped
EA 216 A-2-1-2-X1 D NICKZRunout side A
EA 216 B-2-1-2-5 DRunout side B
EA 216ALabel, side A
EA 216BLabel, side B
EAP + 216 + A ORLAKESide A runout, handwritten
EAP + 216 + B ORLAKESide B runout, handwritten
EAP 216- ASide A label
EAP 216- BSide B label
EA 216 A-3-1-1-X1 DRunout, Side A - variant 1
EA 216 B-2-1-1 DRunout, Side B - variant 1
EA 216 A-2-1-2-X1 D NICKZRunout, Side A - variant 2
EA 216 B-1-1-1-X1 DRunout, Side B - variant 2
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE Jr [smiley] ST SP AR [SRC stamp] △12952 0- B-23969-Z2 V-1-19210-Z2Runout, side A
[MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbIE Jr [smiley] V-2-19210-Z1 [SRC stamp] 1-2 SPAR B-23970-Z1 △12952-X 0-Runout, side B
X502432Center label, side A
X502432ACenter label, side B
B-8323-S-45-502432-Z4 SRC 1-1 STERLINGA-Side, Variation 1
B-8323-S-45-502432-A-Z1 SRC 1-1 STERLINGB-Side, Variation 1
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 | EMI America AMI 1775 / EMI America AMI.1775First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI America AMI 1775First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | EMI America ED.208 / EMI America ED 208First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1986 | Brazil | EMI America 31C 052 201288ZFirst year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America S 75143First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America B-8323First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America B-8323First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI America 1A 006-20 1281 7 / EMI America 20 1281 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI America K060-20 1288 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI America 1C 016-20 1281 7 / EMI America 016 20 1281 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI America K060-20 1288 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | EMI America 1567386First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | France | EMI America 2012817First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | EMI America 201 2817", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | France | EMI 156738612", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
49 vinyl pressings of Underground are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is EMI America 12EA 216, released June 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12EA 216, EA 216, EAP 216, V-19210) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 EA 216 A-1-1-3-3 D and 12 EA 216 B-1-1-1-1 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.
