Vinyl pressings
by John Cougar Mellencamp · 1989
Big Daddy 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.
15 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 12 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.
8382201 A-3U-1-1 ⁀⁀ Tape 1Runout, side A, variant 1
8382201 B-2U-1-1 ⁀⁀ Tape 1Runout, side B, variant 1
8382201 A-2U-1-1 ⁀⁀ Tape 1Runout, side A, variant 2
8382201 B-2U-1-1 ⁀⁀ Tape 1Runout, side B, variant 2
422-838-220-1-AS-DMM-SP MASTERDISK DMM SP1-1Side A runout
422-838-220-1-BS-DMM-SP MASTERDISK DMM SP1-1Side B runout
422-838-220-1-AS-DMM-SP Masterdisk DMM SP 2-2 IMP#1Runout side A
422-838-220-1-BS-DMM-SP Masterdisk DMM SP 1-3 IMP#1Runout side B
422-838-220-1-AS-DMM SP MASTERDISK DMM SPTV SP2-3Side 1 Etched
422-838-220-1-BS-DMM SP MASTERDISK DMM SPTV SP1-4Side 2 Etched
STARL5560 -A AADRunout, Side A - etched
STARL5560 -B AADRunout, Side B - etched
838.220-1ALabel, Side A
838.220-1BLabel, 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 | Argentina | Mercury 838 220-2 / PolyGram 29195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Argentina | Mercury 838 220-2 / PolyGram 29195First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Australia | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | Mercury 838.220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Greece | Mercury 838 220-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Portugal | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Spain | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 838 220-1LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 221023 / Mercury 838220First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 838 220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Mercury B0024800-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of Big Daddy are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1989 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, South Africa, Argentina and more. One of them is Mercury 838 220-1, released May 8, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 838 220-1, STARL 5560, 838 220-2, 838.220-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 8382201 A-3U-1-1 ⁀⁀ Tape 1 and 8382201 B-2U-1-1 ⁀⁀ Tape 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.
