Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1983
White Light/White Heat 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.
12 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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.
RCA 372 A-1U-1- 2 TNOMAD BRunout, Side A
RCA 372 B-1U-1- T̶N̶O̶M̶A̶D̶ DAMONTRunout, Side B
RCA 372 A-1U-1- 2 T̶N̶O̶M̶A̶D̶ DAMONT M —Runout, Side A Variant 2
RCA 372 B-1U-1-/ T̶N̶O̶M̶A̶D̶ DAMONT A —Runout, Side B Variant 2
PB-13660A-6Side A
PB-13660B-6Side B
PB-13660 B-4 JASide A
PB-13660 B-3 JASide B
PB-13660 B-1 I JA Λ1Runout side A
PB-13660 A-1 JA Λ2Runout side B
Ja PB-13660A -3A side, etched
Ja PB-13660A -4B side, etched
PB-13660-ALabel A & B side
PB-/3.660_A
PB-/3.660-B
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 | Canada | RCA PB-13660First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | France | RCA Victor PB 3660First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Germany | RCA PB 3660 / RCA Victor PB 3660First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ireland | RCA RCA 372 / RCA PB 13660First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | RCA RPS-126 / RCA (PB-13660)First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | RCA RPS-126 / RCA PB-13660First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | RCA PB-13660First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | US | RCA JK-13660First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | RCA JK-13660 / RCA Victor (PB-13660)First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | RCA PB-13660First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | UK | RCA RCA 372 / RCA PB 13660First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | RCA PB-3660First year7", Single | 7", Single |
12 vinyl pressings of White Light/White Heat are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Netherlands, Canada and more. One of them is RCA RCA 372, released October 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 372, PB-13660, JK-13660, PB-3660) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RCA 372 A-1U-1- 2 TNOMAD B and RCA 372 B-1U-1- T̶N̶O̶M̶A̶D̶ DAMONT. 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.
