Europe
May 1988- Label and catalog number
- Bludgeon Riffola LEPX 5Bludgeon Riffola 870 402-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single
- Runout / matrix
JA LFPX5A-2 DAMONTSide A runout, hand-etched
LFPX 5 B-2 DAMONTSide B runout, hand-etched
Vinyl pressings
Love Bites
by Def Leppard · 1988
40 pressings12 countriesHard RockRock
Love Bites was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Love Bites
38 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 12 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.
Europe
1988- Label and catalog number
- Bludgeon Riffola 870 402-7Bludgeon Riffola LEP 5
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
870 402 7 1W 1 670 04Runout side A variant 1
870 402 7 2W 1 670 04Runout side B variant 1
870 402 7 1V 1 670 04Runout side A variant 2
870 402 7 2V 1 670 04Runout side B variant 2
Europe
1988- Label and catalog number
- Mercury 870 402-1
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
UK
May 1988- Label and catalog number
- Bludgeon Riffola LEP 5Bludgeon Riffola 870 402-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single · Silver Injection Labels
- Runout / matrix
LEP 5 A-4U-1- Q2 JARunout side A
LEP 5 B-4U-1- Q2Runout side B
LEP 5 A-6U-1- Q2 JARunout side A
LEP 5 A-7U-1- Q2Runout side B
UK
May 1988- Label and catalog number
- Bludgeon Riffola LEPXB 5
- Format
- 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo
UK
May 1988- Label and catalog number
- Bludgeon Riffola LEP 5Phonogram 870 402-7
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Paper Labels
- Runout / matrix
LEP-5-A1 MT DamontRunout side A
LEP-5-B1 MT DamontRunout side B
LEP-5-A1 MT L 21095 DamontRunout side A
LEP-5-B1 MT L 21096Runout side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 40 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s39 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | Mercury 870 402-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 870 402-7 / Bludgeon Riffola 870 402-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 870 402-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 870 402-7 / PolyGram 870 402-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Mercury 870 402-7 / PolyGram 870 402-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2417 / Bludgeon Riffola SOV 2417First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2417First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo SOV2417DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited |
| 1988 | Europe | Bludgeon Riffola 870 402-7 / Bludgeon Riffola LEP 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 870 402-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | France | Mercury 870 147-7 / Bludgeon Riffola 870 147-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | France | Bludgeon Riffola 870 147-7First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | France | Mercury 6837 940First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Japan | Mercury SNP-1065 / Bludgeon Riffola SNP-1065First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Mexico | PolyGram S/N 811First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Not On Label LEPDJ 57", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
Tracklist
- ALove Bites5:46
- BBilly's Got A Gun (Live)5:21
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Love Bites are there?
40 vinyl pressings of Love Bites are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1988 and 1990.
When was Love Bites first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is Bludgeon Riffola LEPX 5, released May 1988.
How do I tell if my copy of Love Bites is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LEPX 5, 870 402-7, 870 402-1, LEP 5) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JA LFPX5A-2 DAMONT and LFPX 5 B-2 DAMONT. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Love Bites on vinyl worth?
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.
