Vinyl pressings
by Echo & The Bunnymen · 1983
The Cutter was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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-26-A²Runout side A variant 1
KOW-26-B₁Runout side B variant 1
KOW-26-A2 I W W-40Runout side A variant 2
KOW-26-B - W W-45Runout side B variant 2
KOW-26-A2Runout side A
KOW-26-BRunout side B
KOW 26 A*Label side A
KOW 26 B*Label side B
KOW-26-A2 M W-39Runout side A, etched
KOW-26-B M W-49Runout side B, etched
W W-6 KD KOW-26T-A2Runout side A - Variant 1
W W4-KD KOW-26T-BRunout side B - Variant 1
W W-8 KD KOW-26T-A2Runout side A - Variant 2
W W7-KD KOW-26T-BRunout side B - Variant 2
W W-8 KD KOW-26T-A2Side A runout, etched, variant 1
W W4-KD KOW-26T-BSide B runout, etched, variant 1
W W-10 KD KOW-26T-A2Side A runout, etched, variant 2
W W4-KD KOW-26T-B.Side B runout, etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | WEA 7-249919 / Korova 7-249919First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 96647First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Canada | Sire 92 96647First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Europe | WEA 24.9918-0 / Korova KOW 26 TFirst year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Korova KOW 26 / Korova 249919-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | New Zealand | WEA 249918-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Korova 24.9918-0 / Korova KOW 26 TFirst year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1983 | UK | Korova KOW 26 / Korova KOW 26CFirst year7", 45 RPM, Cassette, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Cassette, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | UK | Korova KOW 26 (T) / Korova 249918-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Korova KOW 26 / Korova 249919-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Korova KOW 26First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1983 | UK | Korova KOW 26T / Korova 249918-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Korova KOW 26 / Korova 249919-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Korova KOW 26 / Korova 249919-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Sire 7-29664First year7" | 7" |
24 vinyl pressings of The Cutter are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Korova KOW 26, released January 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KOW 26, KOW 26T, KOW 26 (T), 7-29664) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KOW-26-A² and KOW-26-B₁. 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.
