Vinyl pressings
by Dennis DeYoung · 1984
Desert Moon was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 17 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.
SP 05006 A RCA I 1 STERLING TJ A 1 DFull runout info side A, variant 1
SP 05006 A RCA I TJ DRunout side A, etched, variant 1
1 STERLING A 1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
SP 05006 B RCA I 1 A 2 I STERLING TJFull runout info side B, variant 1
SP 05006 A ES2 EMW STERLING TJEtched Side A, except STERLING stamped (Variant 1)
SP 05006 B ES1 EMW STERLING TJEtched Side B, except STERLING stamped (Variant 1)
SP 05006 A III ES 1 EMW STERLING TJEtched Side A, except STERLING stamped (Variant 2)
SP 05006 B ES1 EMW STERLING TJEtched Side B, except STERLING stamped (Variant 2)
SP 05006 A MI STERLING TJ MR △26530Full runout info side A
STERLINGRunout side A, stamped
SP 05006 B MI 1 A 2 I STERLING TJFull runout info side B
STERLINGRunout side B, stamped
AMA 5006 A1 Tone ASide A runout
AMA 5006 B1 ASide B runout
SP 0̶5006 A INT (trumpet stamp) STERLING TJSide A, Sterling is stamped
SP 0̶5006 B INT (trumpet stamp) STERLING TJSide B, Sterling is stamped
CRSide A/B, etched, script (Cinram?)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | A&M Records SP 5006-AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | A&M Records L-38294First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records SP 5006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records SP 5006LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Canada | A&M Records SP 5006 / A&M Records SP-5006LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Europe | A&M Records AMLX 65006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | A&M Records 395 006-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | A&M Records AMLX 65006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28105First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-28105First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Mexico | A&M Records AMLS-48,090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Peru | A&M Records S.E. 8686First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | A&M Records LP-SP-5006First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Singapore | A&M Records 823 745-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | A&M Records AMLS 65006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
25 vinyl pressings of Desert Moon are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1984 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Argentina, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 5006.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 5006, AMA 5006, SP 5006-A, AMLX 65006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SP 05006 A RCA I 1 STERLING TJ A 1 D and SP 05006 A RCA I TJ 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.
