Vinyl pressings
by El DeBarge · 1986
Love Always was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 6 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.
DM DS B-5524 A-1 / 8-86Runout side A, variant 1
DM DS B-5524 B-1 / 86Runout side B, variant 1
DM DS B-5524 A-1/8-86 IIRunout side A, variant 2
DM DS B-5524 B-1/86Runout side B, variant 2
DM B-5525 A-1 / 7-86Runout Side A [Stamped]
DM B-5525 B-1 / 7-86Runout Side B [Stamped]
ELDT 2 A*Label side A
ELDT 2 B*Label side B
1857GFA-67584-15A MB #8A-Side Runout Etching
1857GFB 67588-15A MB #8B-Side Runout Etching
67584A-Side Label
67588B-Side label
67584Label Side A
67588Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Motown 1857 GFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Gordy 1857First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Gordy 1857First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | Gordy ZB40845 / Gordy ZB 40845First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Gordy ZT 40846First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Gordy ELDT 2First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Gordy ELD 2First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | Gordy ELDT 2 DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Gordy 1857GF / Gordy 1857 GFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Gordy 1857GFFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Gordy 1857GFFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | Motown RMTS-11First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Love Always are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is Gordy ZB40845.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZB40845, ZT 40846, ELDT 2, ELD 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM DS B-5524 A-1 / 8-86 and DM DS B-5524 B-1 / 86. 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.
