Vinyl pressings
by David Lee Roth · 1986
That's Life 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.
11 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 6 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.
R / S Alsdorf 928511-7-ASide A runout - stamped
K 4Side A runout - etched
R / S Alsdorf 928511-7-BSide B runout - stamped
K 3Side B runout - etched
7-28511-RE1-A-SR2 1-1 MASTERDISK [SRC logo]Side A runout
7-28511-B-SR2 1-1 [SRC logo]Side B runout
7-28511-ALabel A
7-28511-BLabel B
7-28511-RE1-A SR1 R-16846-RE SR1 △ 14763 ⬭Etched Side A
7-28511-B SH1 [ALLIED "Q" SYMBOL"] R-16847-SD1 △ 14763-X 1-1Etched Side B
MASTERDISC [SRC Logo]Stamped Side A only
PRO-A1-2619-RE1 SH1 [Allied 'a' logo] B-25827-SH1 △ 14767 1-1 MASTERDISK HWSide A runout
PRO A-2-2619-SH1 [Allied 'a' logo] B-25828-SH1 △ 14767-X 1-1Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 7-28511First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 85117First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 85117First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 928 511-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Warner Bros. Records 928 511-77", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | France | Warner Bros. Records 928 511-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records PRO-A-2619First year12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28511 / Warner Bros. Records 28511-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Warner Bros. Records 7-28511First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-2201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-2201First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
12 vinyl pressings of That's Life are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 928 511-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 928 511-7, 7-28511, PRO-A-2619, P-2201) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R / S Alsdorf 928511-7-A and K 4. 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.
