Vinyl pressings
by Erasure · 1992
Abba-Esque was first pressed on vinyl in 1992. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
35 pressings came out in 1992, the album's first year, in 14 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.
L 12 MUTE 144 - A2 PR-MSide A runout etched, variant 1
L 12 MUTE 144 - B1 PR-MSide AA runout etched, variant 1
L 12 MUTE 144 - A2 PR-M CSide A runout etched, variant 2
L 12 MUTE 144 - B1 PR-M BSide AA runout etched, variant 2
12 MUTE 144 A3 PR-E SD/JD THE EXCHANGESide A etched, variant 1
12 MUTE 144 B3 PR-E TD/CD THE EXCHANGESide B etched, variant 1
12 MUTE 144 A3X PR-E SD/JD THE EXCHANGE P2Side A etched, variant 2
12 MUTE 144 B3X PR-E P2 TD/CD THE EXCHANGESide B etched, variant 2
MUTE 144 A3 5 DAMONT F MM / SDRunout, A-side, etched, variant 1
MUTE 144 B3 SD THE EXCHANGE 4 DAMONT GRunout, B-side, etched, variant 1
MUTE 144 A3 v 3 DAMONT MM / SDRunout, A-side, etched, variant 2
MUTE 144 B3 SD THE EXCHANGE 2 DAMONTRunout, B-side, etched, variant 2
MUTE 144 A3 DAMONT MM/SDRunout, A-side
MUTE 144 B3 SD THE EXCHANGE DAMONTRunout, B-side
MUTE 144D A1 S.D THE EXCHANGE D.M.M I DAMONT 1Runout, side A
MUTE 144D B1 1 S.D DAMONTRunout, side B
12 Mute 144- A1Side A runout
12 Mute 144- B1Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Argentina | Radio KO TLP 81.012 / Mute TLP 81.012First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1992 | Australia | Not On LabelFirst year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1992 | Australia | Liberation Records X14398First year12" | 12" |
| 1992 | Australia | Not On Label 101537First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| 1992 | Belgium | Mute MUTE 46144 / Mute 46144First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
| 1992 | Belgium | Indisc MUTE 46044 / Mute MUTE 46044First year12" | 12" |
| 1992 | Czechoslovakia | Mute Czechoslovakia L12 MUTE 144First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1992 | Ecuador | ToCo International 44.000-9First year12", Mixed | 12", Mixed |
| 1992 | Germany | Mute INT 126.730 / Mute 12 Mute 144First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1992 | Germany | Mute INT 111.899 / Mute Mute144First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1992 | Germany | Mute INT 126.737 / Mute L12 MUTE 144First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1992 | Italy | Mute 12 MUTEX 144First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1992 | Italy | Mute LMUTE 144First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1992 | Philippines | Mute EPM-92-186First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1992 | Scandinavia | Mute Mute 144 / Mute 7 MUTE 144First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP |
43 vinyl pressings of Abba-Esque are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1992, in UK, US, Czechoslovakia, Mexico and more. One of them is Mute L12 MUTE 144, released June 1, 1992.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L12 MUTE 144, 12 Mute 144, Mute 144, Mute 144D) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, L 12 MUTE 144 - A2 PR-M and L 12 MUTE 144 - B1 PR-M. 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.
