Vinyl pressings
by Duran Duran · 1988
Big Thing 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.
27 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 22 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.
DDB 33 A-1U-1-1 D SterlingSide A, variant 1
DDB 33 B-1U-1-1 D SterlingSide B, variant 1
DDB 33 A-1U-1-1 D Sterling DDB 33 A DMMSide A, variant 2
DDB 33 B-1U-1-1 D Sterling DDB 33 B DMMSide B, variant 2
C1-1 90958 Z1 DMM STERLING SP1-1Side A, variant 1
C1-2-90958 Z1 DMM STERLING SP1-5Side B, variant 1
C1-1 90958 Z1 DMM STERLING S-2 SP1-1Side A, variant 2
C1-2-90958 Z1 DMM STERLING S-2 SP1-4Side B, variant 2
C1-1 90958 Z1 DMM STERLING TJ -² SP-AR O- ∆22363 B-32826-Z1-DMM SP1-2A-side, runout, hand-etched
C1-2-90958 Z1 DMM SP1-2 STERLING TJ -² ∆22363 O- B-32854-Z1 SP-ARB-side, runout, hand-etched
C1-90958A-/B-side, labels
790958 1 A 21 1 M9 360303 2Side A runout, variant 1
790958 1 B 21 1 M9 360304 2Side B runout, variant 1
790958 1 A 21 2 M9 360303 2Side A runout, variant 2
790958 1 B 21 1 M9 360304 2Side B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | EMI 10057First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Argentina | EMI 10057First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | EMI EMC.790958First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Brazil | EMI 066 790958 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Capitol Records C1-90958First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Colombia | EMI 111203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI 064-7 90958 1 / EMI Electrola 064-7 90958 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | EMI 7909581LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | EMI 064-7909581First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | NMC DDB33-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI 64 7909581First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Japan | EMI RP25-5692First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Japan | EMI RP25-5692First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Mexico | EMI SLEM-1565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | India | His Master's Voice DDB 33LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1990 | India | His Master's Voice DDB 33LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Europe | EMI DBDD 33LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, Compilation, All Media, Limited Edition, Remastered · Limited |
| 2015 | Europe | Parlophone DBDD 33LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK & Europe | Parlophone 5054197640919LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Big Thing are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1988 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Zimbabwe, Europe and more. One of them is EMI DDB 33, released October 18, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DDB 33, C1-90958, EMCJ (D)7909581, 7 90958 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DDB 33 A-1U-1-1 D Sterling and DDB 33 B-1U-1-1 D Sterling. 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.
