Vinyl pressings
by Europe · 1986
The Final Countdown 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.
34 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
01-127127-1A-1 GRunout side A, variant 1
01-127127-1B-1 DRunout side B, variant 1, 3
01-127127-1A-1 ERunout side A, variant 2
01-127127-1B-1 BRunout side B, variant 2
01-7127-3A-1Runout A, variant 1
01 EPCA-7127-1B1 MASTERDISK BRunout B, variant 1
01-[7̶2̶ cancelled]7127-3-A-1 HRunout A, variant 2
01-EPCA-7127-2B1 MASTERDISK BRunout B, variant 2
01-7127-3A-1 BRunout side A, variant 1
01EPCA-7127-B1 MASTERDISK BRunout side B, variant 1
01-7127-3A-1 ARunout side A, variant 2
01EPCA-7127-B2 MASTERDISK ARunout side B, variant 2
01-7127-3A-1 BRunout side A, variant 1
EPCA-7127-B1 MASTERDISK ARunout side B, variant 1
01-7127-3A-1 ARunout side A, variant 2
EPCA-7127-B2 MASTERDISK ARunout side B, variant 2
01-7127-3A-1Runout side A, variant 1
01 EPCA-7127-1B1 MASTERDISK BRunout side B, variant 1
01-7127-3A-1 HRunout side A, variant 2
01 EPCA-7127-1B1 MASTERDISK FRunout side B, variant 2
01-127127-1/1-1Runout Side A
01-127127-1/3-1Runout 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 | Canada | Epic 34 06416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPC 12.7127 / Epic EPCA 12.7127First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPCA 7127 / Epic EPC A 7127First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPCA 7127 / Epic EPC A 7127First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPCA 7127 / Epic EPC A 7127First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPCA 7127 / Epic EPC A 7127First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPCA 12.7127 / Epic A 12.712712", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPC 12.7127First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Epic A 7127 / Epic EPC A 7127First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Epic ES 1199First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Philippines | Epic ES-20106 / Epic 34 06416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Epic EPC A 7127First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Epic EPC A 7127First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | South Africa | CBS EN 5990First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | South Africa | Epic EN 5990 / Epic GRC 9924First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | Not On Label FM-65697", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | Spain | CBS ARI 20287", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
41 vinyl pressings of The Final Countdown are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, US, UK, Japan and more. One of them is Epic EPC 12.7127.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC 12.7127, EPCA 7127, EPC 7127, TA 7127) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01-127127-1A-1 G and 01-127127-1B-1 D. 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.
