Vinyl pressings
by Front 242 · 1988
Headhunter was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, 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.
RRET-6-A Tape 1 JAA-side [hand-etched]
RRET-6-B Tape 1 JATAPEONEB-side [hand-etched]
RRET-6-A Tape 1 X1 JAA-side [hand-etched], Variant 2
RRET-6-B Tape 1 X2 JATAPEONEB-side [hand-etched], Variant 2
RRE - 6 - A / Tape 1 / Y 1 / JASide A, Variant 1
RRE - 6 - B / Tape 1 / Y 1Side B, Variant 1
RRE - 6 - A Tape 1 X 1 JASide A, Variant 2
RRE - 6 - B Tape 1 X 1Side B, Variant 2
RRE - 6 - A Tape 1 JA
RRE - 6 - B Tape 1
R̶R̶E̶T̶-̶6̶-̶A̶ Tape 1 1 WAX-053-A JASide A run out, etched
R̶R̶E̶T̶-̶6̶-̶B̶ Tape 1 2 WAX-053-B DB.TapeoneSide B run out, etched
RRET-6-A Tape 1 1 NTL 12-3025-A JASide A runout, etched
RRET-6-B Tape 1 2 NTL 12 3025-BSide B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRET 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRE 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRET 612", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRET 612", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Belgium | Red Rhino Europe RRE 6First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1988 | Canada | Nettwerk NT12 3025First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Nettwerk12", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Canada | Nettwerk NT12-3025First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | France | Red Rhino Europe RRET 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Germany | Animalized 50-1393 / RRET 6First year12", Maxi-Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Maxi-Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1988 | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | SPV SPV 50-1393First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Sweden | Red Rhino Europe RRET 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Sweden | Red Rhino Europe RRE 6First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | US | Wax Trax! Records WAX 053First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | US | Wax Trax! Records WAX 0537First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Spain | Old Gold OLD GOLD-073-MX12", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | Red Rhino Europe RRET 612", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of Headhunter are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1988 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Belgium, US, Canada, France and more. One of them is Red Rhino Europe RRET 6.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RRET 6, RRE 6, WAX 053, WAX 0537) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RRET-6-A Tape 1 JA and RRET-6-B Tape 1 JATAPEONE. 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.
