Vinyl pressings
by John Cougar Mellencamp · 1987
Cherry Bomb 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.
15 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
888 934-7 ✳ 2 - 59161 - SP \--| Precision SPRunout etched side A
888 934-7-2 - 51434 - SP \ - \ Precision SRCRunout etched side B
2-59161Label side A
2-59434Label side B
888 934-7-2-59161 - RCA 1A side runout, variant 1
888 934-72-59434 RCA 1B side runout, variant 1
888 934-7+2-59161 - RCA 1 Precision I Ʌ1A side runout, variant 2
888934-72-59434 RCA 1 Prescision I Ʌ2B side runout, variant 2
888934-72-59161 PP PrecisionSide A Etched
888934-72-59434 PP PrecisionSide B Etched
2-59161Labels
* JCMX - 9. A1 * 11 1Side A
* JCMX - 9. B-1 * 11 1Side B
＊ JCM-9·A·1＊ 1 11Side A
＊ JCM-9·B·1＊ MT. 1 11Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australasia | Mercury 888 934-7First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury MS 76261First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury MS 76261First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 888 934-7 / Mercury 888-934-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Mercury SNP-1059First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-832First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | South Africa | Mercury PD 2572First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 888 934-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury JCMX 9 / Mercury 888 934-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Mercury JCM 9 / Mercury 888 934-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 888 934-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 888 934-7 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 888 934-7First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1987 | US | Mercury 888 934-7First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-257First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury 888-934-77", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
16 vinyl pressings of Cherry Bomb are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury 888 934-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 888 934-7, 888 934-7 DJ, JCMX 9, JCM 9) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 888 934-7 ✳ 2 - 59161 - SP \--| Precision SP and 888 934-7-2 - 51434 - SP \ - \ Precision SRC. 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.
