Vinyl pressings
by Echo & The Bunnymen · 1987
The Game was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 7 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.
YZ-134T A-1 DAMONT MT.1A-side runout, variant 1
YZ 134T B-1 DAMONT MT.1B-side runout, variant 1
YZ-134T. A-1 MT..1 DAMONT FA-side runout, variant 2
YZ-134T. B-1 MT.1 DAMONT GB-side runout, variant 2
YZ-134 A2 1 MTRunout side A
YZ-134 B2 1 MTRunout side B
YZ-134T A-3 420 / RSide A, etched
YZ 134T B-3 420 / RSide B, etched
YZ 134 A.3 420 . RSide A runout, etched
YZ 134 B.3 420 . RSide B runout, etched
YZ-134 A1 1 MTRunout side A
YZ-134 B1 1 MTRunout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | WEA 7.248322 / WEA 7-248322First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | WEA 248 322-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | WEA 248 317-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | WEA YZ134 / WEA 248322-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | WEA 248322-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Spain | WEA 248317-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | WEA 248317-0First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | WEA 248322-7 / WEA S 248322-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | WEA YZ 134 T / WEA 248317-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | WEA YZ134 / WEA YZ 134First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | WEA YZ 134 T / WEA 248317-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | WEA YZ134 DJ / WEA 248322-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | WEA YZ134First year7", Single, White Label | 7", Single, White Label |
| 1987 | UK | WEA YZ134 TW / WEA YZ 134 TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1987 | UK | WEA YZ 134First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of The Game are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, Australia, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is WEA YZ 134 T.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use YZ 134 T, YZ134, YZ134 TW, YZ 134) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YZ-134T A-1 DAMONT MT.1 and YZ 134T B-1 DAMONT MT.1. 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.
