Vinyl pressings
by Ice-T · 1987
Rhyme Pays was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 3 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.
1-25602-A-SP2-DMM 1-2 B-27673-SP2 DMM 0-SM1-1 △16751 SPARRunout Side A
1-25602-B-SP2-DMM 1-2 B-27674-SP2 DMM △16751-X 0- SPARRunout Side B
1-25602-A-SP2-DMM 1-1Runout Side A
1-25602-B-SP2-DMM 1-1Runout Side B
CR 1-92-56021-A-SP2-DMM 1-4 SP-CAN
CR 1-92-56021-B-SP2-DMM 1-4 SP-CAN
1-25602-A-SP2-DMM 1-3 SP-GER 43Etched Side A
31 1-25602-B-SP2-DMM 1-3 SP-GEREtched Side B
R/S Alsdorf 925602-1-AStamped Side A
R/S Alsdorf 925602-1-BStamped Side B
R/S Alsdorf 925602-1-A 1-25602-A-SP2-DMM 1-3 SP-GER 1Runout side A, stamped/etched, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 925602-1-B D ̶U̶K̶ 1-25602-B-SP2-DMM 1-3 SP-GERRunout side B, stamped/etched, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 925602-1-A 1-25602-A-SP2-DMM 1-3 SP-GER 5 DRunout side A, stamped/etched, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 925602-1-B 7̶̷ 1-25602-B-SP2-DMM 1-3 SP-GER D̶̷Runout side B, stamped/etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Sire 92 56021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Sire 925 602-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Sire 925 602-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Not On LabelLP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25602 / Sire 9 25602-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25602 / Sire 9 25602-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Sire 1-25602LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Sire 8122795777LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2014 | US | Sire R1-25602LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | UK, Europe & US | Sire RCV1 25602 / Sire 603497845736LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Repress · Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Rhyme Pays are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1987 and 2020.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Canada, Europe. One of them is Sire 1-25602, released July 7, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1-25602, 92 56021, 925 602-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-25602-A-SP2-DMM 1-2 B-27673-SP2 DMM 0-SM1-1 △16751 SPAR and 1-25602-B-SP2-DMM 1-2 B-27674-SP2 DMM △16751-X 0- SPAR. 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.
