Vinyl pressings
by Helloween · 1991
Pink Bubbles Go Ape was first pressed on vinyl in 1991. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1991, the album's first year, in 8 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.
EMC 3588 A.2J-1-1Etching Side A
EMC 3588 B.2J-1-1Etching Side B
THIS RECORDING BUISINESS SURE IS HUNGRY WORK AMIGO!Message Etching Side A
WE SHOULD SIT DOWN & TALK, JUST TALK, WHATEVERMessage Etching Side B
(machine-etched Side A): EMC 3588 A.2J-1-1
(machine-etched Side B): EMC 3588 B.2J-1-1
(Message hand-etched Side A): THIS RECORDING BUSINESS SURE IS HUNGRY WORK AMIGO!
(Message hand-etched Side B): WE SHOULD SIT DOWN & TALK, JUST TALK, WHATEVER
796 086 1 01 ℗1991Side A, Runout, Etched
796086 2 01 ℗1991 200Side B, Runout, Etched
7960861-A2Side A
7960861-B2Side B
7960861-A - 30-1-91 I△ HELLOWEEN MSide A, stamped; [M long stretched] etched
7960861-B - 30-1-91 I△ HELLOWEEN MSide B, stamped; [M long stretched] 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Brazil | EMI 796086 1 / EMI EMC 3588First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Europe | EMI 064-7 96086 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Greece | EMI EMC 3588First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Italy | EMI 64 7960861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Portugal | EMI 79 6086 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | South Korea | EMI EMC 3588 / EMI EKPL-0068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Spain | EMI 068 79 6086 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | UK | EMI EMC 3588 / EMI 79 6086 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | UK | EMI EMC 3588First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | BMG BMGCATLP62 / Sanctuary BMGCATLP62LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | BMG BMGCATLP62C / Sanctuary BMGCATLP62CLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | BMG BMGCATLP62C / Sanctuary BMGCATLP62CLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of Pink Bubbles Go Ape are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1991 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1991, in UK, Brazil, Europe, Greece and more. One of them is EMI EMC 3588.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EMC 3588, 796086 1, 064-7 96086 1, 64 7960861) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EMC 3588 A.2J-1-1 and EMC 3588 B.2J-1-1. 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.
