Vinyl pressings
by Glass Tiger · 1986
The Thin Red Line 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.
26 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 19 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.
ST-6527-1-Z1 DM 20 MASTERDISKSide 1 runout variant 1
ST-6527-2-Z2 DM 13 MASTERDISKSide 2 runout variant 1
ST-6527-2-Z1 DM 13 MASTERDISKSide 2 runout variant 2
ST-6527-1-Z1 DM 20 MASTERDISKSide 1 runout variant 3
ST-6527-1-Z1 DM 4 MASTERDISKSide A runout
ST-6527-2-Z1 DM 8 MASTERDISKSide B runout
(alternate version - side 1) ST-6527-1-Z1 DM 1 MASTERDISK
(alternate version - side 2) ST-6527-2-Z2 DM 5 MASTERDISK
ST-1-53032-Z1 MASTERDISKSide A etched; Masterdisk stamped (variant 1)
ST-2-53032-Z1 MASTERDISKSide B etched; Masterdisk stamped (variant 1)
ST-1-53032-Z1 \ - 3 MASTERDISK SRC logoSide A etched; Masterdisk and SRC logo stamped (variant 2)
ST-2-53032-Z2 1 - 1 MASTERDISK SRC logoSide B etched; Masterdisk and SRC logo stamped (variant 2)
ST-1-53032-Z2 1-1 MASTERDISK SRCSide A runout, Variant 1
ST-2-53032-Z1 1-1 MASTERDISK SRCSide B runout, Variant 1
ST-1-53032-Z1 1-1 MASTERDISK SRCSide A runout, Variant 2
ST-2-53032-Z1 1-1 MASTERDISK SRCSide B runout, Variant 2
ST-1-53032-Z1 1-2 SP-AR 0- △12565 B-23530-Z1 MASTERDISK [SRC logo]Side A Runout
ST-2-53032-Z1 1-2 SPAR 0- △12565-X B-23531-Z1 MASTERDISK [SRC logo]Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | EMI 58438 / EMI 81 2405701First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australasia | Manhattan Records MAN.240570First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Manhattan Records 31C 064240570First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-6527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-6527First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-506527LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | Manhattan Records 24 0570 1 / EMI LP 1C 064 24 0570 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 038-74 6313 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Manhattan Records 24 0570 1 / EMI 1C 064 24 0570 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Manhattan Records 062-2405701First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Manhattan Records 64 2405701First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Manhattan Records MHS-91175First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Promo · Promo, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Japan | Manhattan Records MHS-91175First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Mexico | Manhattan Records SLEM-1393First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Manhattan Records ST 53032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Canada | Universal Music Canada 0876596 / MusicVaultz 0876596LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records ST 53032 / Capitol Records ST 53032LP, Album | LP, Album |
30 vinyl pressings of The Thin Red Line are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1986 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Canada, US, UK, Japan and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-6527.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-6527, ST 53032, MTL 1003, MHS-91175) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-6527-1-Z1 DM 20 MASTERDISK and ST-6527-2-Z2 DM 13 MASTERDISK. 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.
