Vinyl pressings
by Duran Duran · 1984
Arena 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.
48 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 28 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.
EX-2603081-A-1U-1-2-2C MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, variant 1
EX-2603081-B -1?U-1-3-1? MASTERDISK RLSide B runout, variant 1
EX-2603081-A-1U-1-1 MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, variant 2
EX-2603081-B-1U-1-3 MASTERDISK RLSide B runout, variant 2
SWAV-1-12374-Z-4#8 MASTERDISK RL ─◁Side A, Variant 1
SWAV-2-12374-Z-4 MASTERDISK RL ─◁Side B, Variant 1
SWAV-1-12374-Z-4 #5 MASTERDISK RL ─◁Side A, Variant 2
SWAV-2-12374-Z-4 MASTERDISK RL ─◁Side B, Variant 2
SWAV-1-12374-Z1 #1 MASTERDISK RL 0Side A runout, variant 1
SWAV-2-12374-Z-2 #1 MASTERDISK 0Side B runout, variant 1
SWAV-1-12374-Z1 #2 MASTERDISK RL 0Side A runout, variant 2
SWAV-2-12374-Z-2 #3 MASTERDISK 0Side B runout, variant 2
SWAV-1-12374-Z-1 #3 MASTERDISK RL 0Side A runout
SWAV-2-12374-Z-1 #2 MASTERDISK RL 0Side B runout
SWAV 1-12374Side A label
SWAV 2-12374Side B label
SWAV-1-12374-Z 1 #1 MASTERDISK RLSide A runout
SWAV-2-12374-Z-2 #4 MASTERDISKSide B runout
SWAV 1-12374Side A label
SWAV 2-12374Side B label
SWAV-1-12374-Z-3 #4 MASTERDISK 0Side A runout
SWAV-2-12374-Z-2 #4 MASTERDISK 0Side B runout
SWAV 1-12374Side A label
SWAV 2-12374Side B label
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 | EMI 8264 / EMI 81 2603081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Argentina | EMI 81 2603081 / EMI EX 260308 1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | EMI EMC.260308First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Brazil | Parlophone 31C 064 260308First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records SWAV-12374First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Colombia | EMI 11994First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Colombia | EMI 11994First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | Europe | Parlophone 1A 064 26 0308 1 / Parlophone 26 0308 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Parlophone 1A 064-2603081First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Parlophone 064 26 0308 1 / Parlophone 1A 064 26 0308 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Parlophone 1A 064 26 0308 1 / Parlophone 064 26 0308 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Parlophone 1A 064 26 0308 1First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1984 | Europe | Parlophone 064 26 0308 1 / Parlophone 1A 064 26 0308 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | Parlophone 2603081First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Parlophone 1A 064 26 0308 1 / Parlophone 064 26 0308 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | EMI 038 7 46048 1 / EMI 038-74 6048 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Parlophone 54 260308 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light OX 193LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light OX 193LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | New Jen Sheng JS-5578LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | Fame FA 3225LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Capitol Records SWAV-12374LP, Album | LP, Album |
68 vinyl pressings of Arena are listed here, from 32 countries, released between 1984 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Japan and more. One of them is Parlophone DD2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DD2, SWAV-12374, EMC.260308, EMS-91095) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EX-2603081-A-1U-1-2-2C MASTERDISK RL and EX-2603081-B -1?U-1-3-1? MASTERDISK RL. 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.
