Vinyl pressings
by Humanoid · 1989
Slam was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 5 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.
WSRT 14 A-1 DAMONTRunout side A, etched, variant 1
WSRT 14 B-1 DAMONTRunout side B, etched, variant 1
WSRT 14 A-1 DAMONT HRunout side A, etched, variant 2
WSRT 14 B-1 DAMONT KRunout side B, etched, variant 2
WSR 14 A-1 DAMONTRunout etched side A
WSR 14 B-1 DAMONT [ 1 ]Runout etched side B
ZYX 6135-12 A SSTRunout hand-etched side A
ZYX 6135-12 B SSTRunout hand-etched side B
FM 13233-ALabel side A
FM 13233-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Germany | ZYX Records ZYX 6135-12First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Italy | Five FM 13233First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Italy | Five FM 13839First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Max Music MAX 347First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Sweden | Beat Box BB 8169First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Sweden | Beat Box BB 8169First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Sweden | Beat Box BB 7169First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | UK | Westside Records WSRT 14 / Westside Records WSRT14First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | Westside Records WSR14First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Westside Records PROMO 35First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | US | Trax Records TX19712", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | US | Trax Records TX19712", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
12 vinyl pressings of Slam are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1989 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and more. One of them is Westside Records WSRT 14.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WSRT 14, WSR14, PROMO 35, ZYX 6135-12) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WSRT 14 A-1 DAMONT and WSRT 14 B-1 DAMONT. 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.
