Vinyl pressings
by Goon Squad · 1985
Eight Arms To Hold You was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
P-? XSS 174481 1B STERLINGRunout Side A Etched & Stamped
P-? XSS 174482 1B STERLINGRunout Side B Etched & Stamped
P- AP XSS 174481 1A STERLINGRunout Side A Etched & Stamped
P ZSS 174506 1A STERLINGA Side Runout
P ZSS 174506 1B STERLINGB Side Runout
ZSS 174506A and B Labels Identical
TX 6389 A1Side A runout groove, etched
TX 6389 B1Side B runout groove, etched
TX 6389 A*Side A label
TX 6389 B*Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 12153First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 1066First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Epic ES 12153First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Epic 12EXP-05247First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Epic 34-05449First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Europe | Epic EPCA 6389 / Epic A 6389First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Epic QYEP-90013First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Epic EPCA 12-6389 / Epic A 12.6389First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Epic ES 1066First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Philippines | Epic ES-20063First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Portugal | Epic A 12.6389First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | Portugal | Epic A 6389First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Epic EN 5868First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | Epic XEN 5869First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | UK | Epic TX 6389First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Venezuela | CBS MS-4.04312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Eight Arms To Hold You are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Epic 49-05247.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 49-05247, 34-05449, TX 6389, A6389) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P-? XSS 174481 1B STERLING and P-? XSS 174482 1B STERLING. 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.
