Vinyl pressings
by Janet Jackson · 1987
Let's Wait Awhile 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.
25 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
A&M-AM-02906 A RCA 2 — A1Runout etched side A, variant 1
A&M-AM-02906 B RCA 1 ~ A1 ←Runout etched side B, variant 1
A&M-AM-02906A RCA 1 ❀ I A1Runout etched [ I A1 stamped] side A, variant 2
A&M-AM-02906-B RCA 2 ⁀⁀ I A ̶2̶ 1Runout etched [ I A ̶2̶ 1 stamped] side B, variant 2
A&M AM 02906-A-C2 ❀ G2A side runout etched
A&M AM 02906-B C2 ~ GB side runout etched
AM-02906-AA side label
AM-02906-BB side label
USAP 601 A2 .ORLAKE. JAA side runout, etched
USAP 601 B2 .ORLAKE.B side runout, etched
FREE 20 A1 ORLAKE JAC side runout, etched
FREE 20 B1 ORLAKED side runout, etched
USAT 601 A/1 JA A̶M̶Y̶ ̶3̶8̶6̶ ̶A̶1̶ MTSide A runout
UAST 601 B/1 A̶M̶Y̶ ̶3̶8̶6̶ ̶-̶ ̶B̶1̶ MTSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Brazil | A&M Records 2801 190First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records AM-2906First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | A&M Records 390 167-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Germany | A&M Records 392 167-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Jamaica | A&M Records AM-2906First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Mexico | A&M Records 690First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Portugal | A&M Records 390167-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | UK | Breakout USAT 601First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records USA 601 / Breakout USA 601First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records USA 601 / Breakout USA 601First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records USAT 601First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Breakout USAT 601First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | UK | Breakout USA 601First year7", Single, Jukebox | 7", Single, Jukebox |
| 1987 | UK | A&M Records USA 601 / Breakout USA 601First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records AM-2906First year7", Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", Single, Styrene, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Let's Wait Awhile are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, Germany and more. One of them is A&M Records AM-2906.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AM-2906, USAD 601, USAT 601, USA 601) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A&M-AM-02906 A RCA 2 — A1 and A&M-AM-02906 B RCA 1 ~ A1 ←. 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.
