Vinyl pressings
by Dexys Midnight Runners · 1981
Plan B was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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 6046 A-1 GRunout side A stamped, variant 1
R 6046 B-1 4 [Symbol]Runout side B stamped, variant 1
R 6046 A-1 41 1Runout side A stamped, variant 2
R 6046 B-1 21 1Runout side B stamped, variant 2
07470-A1Runout Side A, stamped
07470-B1Runout Side B, Stamped
1 C 006-07 470 ALabel Side A
1 C 006-07 470 BLabel Side B
R 6046 - ALabel Side A
R 6046 - BLabel Side B
A-458 ASide A Label
A-458 BSide B Label
7470 A 21 / M3 335 629Label side A
7470 B 21 / M3 335 630Label side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Parlophone A-458First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Bolivia | EMI International BO 1345First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Parlophone 2C 008-07.470First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Ireland | EMI R 6046First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Netherlands | EMI 1A 006-07470First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | Parlophone 11C 008-07470 HFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | EMI 10C 006-007470First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | Odeon 1C 006-07470 / EMI 1C 006-07470First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | EMI EMI 1004First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | UK | EMI R 6046First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Plan B are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Germany, New Zealand, Australia and more. One of them is EMI R 6046, released March 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use R 6046, 1C 006-07470, EMI 1004, A-458) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R 6046 A-1 G and R 6046 B-1 4 [Symbol]. 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.
