Vinyl pressings
by Echo & The Bunnymen · 1984
Seven Seas 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.
23 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 11 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.
KOW - 35T - A. MT . DAMONT RRunout side A, variant 1
KOW - 35T - B2. MT . DAMONT RRunout side B, variant 1
KOW - 35T - A.- DAMONT MT. BRunout side A, variant 2
KOW - 35T - B2. - DAMONT MT. QRunout side B, variant 2
KOW-35-A 2 DAMONT MT. HRunout Side A etched, variant 1
KOW-35-B 2 DAMONT D N MT.Runout Side B etched, variant 1
KOW-35 (F) - C 5Runout Side C etched, variant 1
KOW-35 (F) - D 2Runout Side D etched, variant 1
KOW 35 A//1▽420 V 1 6Side A runout, stamped - Variant 1
KOW 35 B//1▽420 VSide B runout, stamped - Variant 1
KOW 35 A//1▽420 V 1 1 2 0Side A runout, stamped - Variant 2
KOW 35 B//1▽420 V 1 1 2 1Side B runout, stamped - Variant 2
DAMONT MT KOW - 35 - ARunout Side A etched
DAMONT MT KOW - 35 - BRunout Side B etched
KOW 35 A*Side A label
KOW 35 B*Side B label
KOW-35-A.Side A runout, etched
KOW-35-B.Side B runout, etched
KOW 35 A*Side A label
KOW 35 B*Side B label
KOW-35T-A. DAMONT MT.Side A, etched
KOW-35T-B2. DAMONT MT.Side B, etched
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 | Australia | WEA 7-249321First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Korova 24 93200First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Ireland | Korova KOW 35 / Korova 249321-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Italy | Korova 24 9320-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Portugal | Korova 229 24 9318-7 / Korova 229 24-9318-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Korova 249320-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Korova MS 249320-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Korova KOW 35 (T) / Korova KOW 35TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Korova KOW 35 / Korova 249321-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Korova KOW 35 (T) / Korova KOW 35TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | WEA 7-24932112", EP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", EP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1984 | UK | Korova KOW 35 (T) / Korova KOW 35TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Sire PRO-A-2164 / Korova PRO-A-2164First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Sire 7-29288 / Korova 7-29288First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Sire 7-29288First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
24 vinyl pressings of Seven Seas are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Korova KOW 35 (T), released July 6, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KOW 35 (T), KOW 35F, KOW 35, 7-29288) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KOW - 35T - A. MT . DAMONT R and KOW - 35T - B2. MT . DAMONT R. 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.
