Vinyl pressings
by Five Star · 1987
Strong As Steel 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.
11 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
PB 41565 A1 DB TAPE ONE ⋀Runout, etched, ⋀ stamped, side A
PB 41565 B1 DB TAPE ONE ⋀Runout, etched, ⋀ stamped, side B
PB 41565 A‡Label, side A
PB 41565 B‡Label, side B
PT 41566R A1 DB TAPE ONE ⋀Side A runout
PT 41566R B1 DB TAPE ONE ⋀Side B runout
PT 41566 (R) A‡Side A label
PT 41566 (R) B‡Side B label
PT 41566 A1 DB TAPEOneRunout side A, variant 1
PT 41566 B1 DB TAPEOneRunout side B, variant 1
PT 41566 A1 DB TAPEOne 1 0Runout side A, variant 2
PT 41566 B1 1 DB TAPEOne BRunout side B, variant 2
PB 41565 A1 DB TAPE ONERunout etched side A
PB 41565 B1Runout etched side B
PB 41565 A‡Label side A
PB 41565 B‡Label 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 | Europe | Tent PB41565 / Tent PB 41565First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Tent PT 41566 / RCA PT 41566First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ireland | Tent PB 41565First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Philippines | RCA RCAEP-13531 / Tent PT 41566 (R)First year12", 45 RPM, Partially Mixed | 12", 45 RPM, Partially Mixed |
| 1987 | UK | Tent PB 41565First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Tent PT 41566 (R) / RCA PT 41566 (R)First year12", 45 RPM, Partially Mixed | 12", 45 RPM, Partially Mixed |
| 1987 | UK | Tent PT 41566 / RCA PT 41566First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Tent 5 STAR 1000First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Tent PB 41565 PFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | RCA 5365-7-RAAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Tent 5365-7-R / RCA 5365-7-RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | RCA Victor 1047987", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Strong As Steel are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Tent PB 41565.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB 41565, PT 41566 (R), PT 41566, PB 41565 P) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB 41565 A1 DB TAPE ONE ⋀ and PB 41565 B1 DB TAPE ONE ⋀. 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.
