Vinyl pressings
by Jock Hattle · 1986
To Be Or Not To Be was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
TRD 1031 ARunout side A
TRD 1031 BRunout side B
TRD 1031 ACenter label side A
TRD 1031 BCenter label side B
DMDS-8623-ASide A runout, etched
DMDS-8623-BSide B runout, etched
BB 8089 A AD 860922 PS/CRRunout side A, hand-etched
BB 8089 B AD 860922 PS/CRRunout side B, hand-etched
BB 7089 A PS/CR AD 860922A-Side runout
BB 8089 B AD 860922B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Italy | Time Records TRD 1031 / Time Records TRD-1031First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Time Records TRD 103112", 45 RPM, Repress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Repress, Stereo |
| 1986 | Mexico | Trebol TI 71104 / Musart TI 71104First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Taurus Records TSR 3542First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Philippines | Mobile Disco Records DMDS-8623First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Sweden | Beat Box BB 8089First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Sweden | Beat Box BB 7089First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | Sweden | Beat Box BB 8089First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Spain | Matricula Records MRS - 1017" | 7" |
| 1987 | Spain | Matricula Records MRM 10112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Italy | I.D. Limited I.D.L. 08612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 2026 | Italy | I.D. Limited I.D.L. 08612", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of To Be Or Not To Be are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1986 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines and more. One of them is Time Records TRD 1031.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TRD 1031, TI 71104, TSR 3542, DMDS-8623) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TRD 1031 A and TRD 1031 B. 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.
