Vinyl pressings
by E-Zee Possee · 1990
The Sun Machine was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 5 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.
PROT 4 A-1U-1- Q3Variant 1 - runout side A
PROT 4 B-1U-1- Q3Variant 1 - runout side B
PROT 4 A-1U-1- Q3 IVariant 3 - runout side A stamped
PROT 4 B-1U-1- Q3 DVariant 3 - runout side B stamped
PROT 4 A-1U-1- Q3 TOWN HOUSE DMM 1Runout side A
PROT 4 B-1U-1-Q3 DRunout side B
PROT 4-ALabel side A
PROT 4-BLabel side B
PROT 412 A-1U-1-2 D TOWN HOUSE DMMRunout side A, variant 1
PROT 412 B-1U-1- D TOWN HOUSE DMMRunout side B, variant 1
PROT 412 A-1U-1- TOWN HOUSE DMM DRunout side A, variant 2
PROT 412 B-1U-1- TOWN HOUSE DMM DRunout side B, variant 2
PROTX 412 A-1U-1-2 DSide A runout stamped, variant 1
PROTX 412 AA-2U-1-1 DSide AA runout stamped, variant 1
PROTX 412 A-1U-1-1 DSide A runout stamped, variant 2
PROTX 412 AA-2U-1-1 DSide AA runout stamped, variant 2
PROTX 412 A-1U-1- DSide A
PROTX 412 AA-2U-1- DSide B
PROT 412 A-1U-1-2 TOWN HOUSE DMM D
PROT 412 B-1U-1-1 TOWN HOUSE DMM D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australasia | More Protein PROT 4 / Virgin PROT 4First year7" | 7" |
| 1990 | Australia | More Protein PROT 412First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Europe | Virgin 113 396 / Virgin PROT 4First year7" | 7" |
| 1990 | Germany | Virgin 613 396 / More Protein PROT 412First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Germany | Virgin 612 397 / More Protein PROTX 412First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | Germany | Virgin 613 396 / Virgin DM 613 396First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | More Protein PROT 412 / More Protein PROT4-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | More Protein PROTX 412First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | UK | More Protein PROT 412First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | More Protein PROTX4-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | More Protein PROT 412First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | More Protein PROTX 4-12First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1990 | UK | More Protein PROX 4First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Not On Label 12RDJ 6249First year12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | More Protein PROT 412First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
17 vinyl pressings of The Sun Machine are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, Australasia, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is More Protein PROT 4, released June 18, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PROT 4, PROT 412, PROTX 412, PROTX 4-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PROT 4 A-1U-1- Q3 and PROT 4 B-1U-1- Q3. 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.
