Vinyl pressings
by Depeche Mode · 1983
Get The Balance Right! 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.
47 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 15 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.
BONG-2-A-1 LIVE COMING SOON! TOWNHOUSE MT1Side A runout, variant 1
BONG-2-B-1 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED TOWNHOUSE MT1Side B runout, variant 1
BONG-2-A-1 LIVE COMING SOON! TOWNHOUSE MT1Side A runout, variant 2
BONG-2-B-1 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED TOWNHOUSE MT2Side B runout, variant 2
12-BONG-2-A2 TOWN HOUSE MT 4 IT'S WHAT WE IN THE BIZ CALL A COMBINATION MIXSide A runout, variant 1
12 BONG-2-B2 TOWN HOUSE MT NO WEALLY IT'S GONE CLEAN!Side B runout, variant 1
12 BONG-2 -A2 TOWN HOUSE MT 4 IT'S WHAT WE IN THE BIZ CALL A COMBINATION MIXSide A runout, variant 3
12 BONG-2 -B-1 TOWNHOUSE MT 1 Oh WEALLY ITS GONE CLEANSide B runout, variant 3
BONG-2-A-1 LIVE COMING SOON! TOWNHOUSE MT.2Runout side A, variant 1
BONG-2-B-1 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED TOWNHOUSE MT.1Runout side B, variant 1
BONG-2-A-1 LIVE COMING SOON! TOWNHOUSE MT.3Runout side A, variant 2
BONG-2-B-1 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED TOWNHOUSE MT.3Runout side B, variant 2
L 12 BONG - 2 - A - 1 45 RPM TOWNHOUSE M.T.1Runout side A, variant 1
L 12 BONG - 2 - B - 1 M.T.1 33 1/3 RPM TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 1
L 12 BONG - 2 - A - 1 TOWNHOUSE MT 2 45 RPMRunout side A, variant 2
L 12 BONG - 2 - B - 1 33⅓ RPM MT 2 TOWNHOUSERunout side B, variant 2
12 BONG-2-A2 MT1 TOWN HOUSE IT'S WHAT WE IN THE BIZ CALL A COMBINATION MIXSide A, variant 1
12 BONG-2-B2 MT1 TOWN HOUSE NO WEALLY IT'S GONE CLEAN!Side B, variant 1
12 BONG-2-A2 MT1 TOWN HOUSE IT'S WHAT WE IN THE BIZ CALL A COMBINATION MIXSide A, variant 2
12 BONG-2-B2 MT2 TOWN HOUSE NO WEALLY IT'S GONE CLEAN!Side B, variant 2
L12 BONG 2-A-1 M.T.1 TOWNHOUSESide A
L12 BONG 2-B-1 M.T.1 TOWNHOUSESide 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 | Australia | Powderworks POWT 2008 / Mute POWT 2008First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | Powderworks POW 0128 / Mute POW 0128First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 97040 / Mute 92 97040First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 97040 / Mute 92 97040First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 97040 / Mute 92 97040First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 97040 / Mute 92 97040First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 97040 / Mute 92 97040First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 97040 / Mute 92 97040First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | France | Mute 310969 / Vogue 310969First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | France | Mute Virgin France S.A. 70662First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1983 | France | Vogue P.I.P. 585004First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1983 | Germany | Mute INT 126.810 / Mute 12 BONG 2First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mute INT 111.809 / Mute 7 BONG 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Germany | Mute INT 126.810 / Mute 12 BONG 2First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1983 | Germany | Mute INT 136.800 / Mute L 12 Bong 2First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Mute INT 126.810 / Mute 12 BONG 212", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | B+H Records PUR 000736Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Limited, Numbered | Flexi-disc, 7", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Limited Edition, Numbered, Unofficial Release, Mono · Unofficial, Mono, Limited, Numbered |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 BONG 212", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 BONG 212", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | Mute 12 BONG 212", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Mute 12BONG 212", 45 RPM, Repress | 12", 45 RPM, Repress |
66 vinyl pressings of Get The Balance Right! are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1983 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Germany, France and more. One of them is Mute 7 BONG 2, released January 31, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 BONG 2, 12 BONG 2, 7BONG2, L12 BONG 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BONG-2-A-1 LIVE COMING SOON! TOWNHOUSE MT1 and BONG-2-B-1 THE EAGLE HAS LANDED TOWNHOUSE MT1. 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.
