Vinyl pressings
by Gary Numan · 1979
Complex was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
STRAWBERRY BEG 29T A-1Side A runout
STRAWBERRY BEG 29T B-1Side B runout
STRAWBERRY BEG 29T A-1 N D 1Side A runout, variant 2
STRAWBERRY BEG 29T B-1 DD D 1Side B runout, variant 2
STRAWBERRY 08-VR-10534-4A-1Variant 1 A side runout, machine stamped
STRAWBERRY 08-VR-10534-4B-1 BEG 29 B-1Variant 1 B side runout, machine stamped BEG 29 B-1 etched
BEG 29 A.1 2 STRAWBERRY 08-VR-10534-1A-1Variant 2 A side run-out hand etched/stamped
BEG 29 B-1 STRAWBERRY 08-VR-10534-1B-1Variant 2 B side run-out hand etched/stamped
STRAWBERRY BEG 29-A2A side runout, hand etched [STRAWBERRY stamped], variant 1
STRAWBERRY BEG 29 B2B side runout, hand etched [STRAWBERRY stamped], variant 1
STRAWBERRY BEG 29-A2 2- TBA side runout, hand etched [STRAWBERRY stamped], variant 2
STRAWBERRY BEG 29 B2 2- TBB side runout, hand etched [STRAWBERRY stamped], variant 2
BEG 29 A3 MADE IN FRANCE STRAWBERRY ∴Side A
BEG 29 B-1 MADE IN FRANCE STRAWBERRYSide B
STRAWBERRY BEG 29 A-1 DA-side runout
STRAWBERRY BEG 29 B-1 K DB-side runout
BEG 29 A-1 4 STRAWBERRY S-6Side A runout, variant 1
BEG 29 B-1 5 S-4 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, variant 1
BEG 29 A-1 4 STRAWBERRY S-9Side A runout, variant 2
BEG 29 B-1 4 STRAWBERRY S-11Side B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | WEA 100112First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 111.534First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.716 / Beggars Banquet 144716First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Atlantic BEG 29First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 297", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 29TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 126.503First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 29 T / Beggars Banquet BEG 29(T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 29 / Beggars Banquet K. 18119First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Ireland | Beggars Banquet BEG 29 / Beggars Banquet K. 18119First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 29 / Beggars Banquet K. 18119First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 29 / Beggars Banquet K 18119First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 29 / Beggars Banquet K. 18119First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 29 / Beggars Banquet K. 18119First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Atlantic P-527A7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Atlantic P-527A7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Complex are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Germany, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEG 29 T, released November 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEG 29 T, BEG 29, BEG 29T, INT 126.503) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STRAWBERRY BEG 29T A-1 and STRAWBERRY BEG 29T B-1. 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.
