Vinyl pressings
by John Norum · 1987
Total Control 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.
9 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 8 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.
09-460203-1A-1 B PD-POLARRunout side A, stamped & PD-POLAR etched, variant 1
09-460203-1B-1 B PD-POLARRunout side B, stamped & PD-POLAR etched, variant 1
09-460203-1A-1 A PD-POLARRunout side A, stamped & PD-POLAR etched, variant 2
09-460203-1B-1 B PD-POLARRunout side B, stamped & PD-POLAR etched, variant 2
460203-1-A2
460203-1-B2
AL-44220-1A-DMM G2 MASTERDISK B1Side A runout, variant 1
BL-44220-1A-DMM G1 MASTERDISK B5Side B runout, variant 1
AL-44220-1A-DMM G2 MASTERDISK C4Side A runout, variant 2
BL-44220-1A-DMM G1 MASTERDISK B3Side B runout, variant 2
MX250571 460203.1 1 MREtched, side A
MX250571 460203.1 2 MREtched, side B
460203 1Label, side A
460203 1Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | CBS CBS 460203 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Epic BFE 44220First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | CBS CBS 460203 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | CBS 460203 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | CBS CBS 460203 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | Epic 460203 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Epic BFE 44220 / Epic E 44220First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Epic International 28∙3P-849First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | Epic International 28∙3P-849First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | South Korea | CBS KJPL-0563LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2669 / Sony Music MOVLP2669LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
11 vinyl pressings of Total Control are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Europe, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is CBS CBS 460203 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 460203 1, 460203 1, BFE 44220, 28∙3P-849) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 09-460203-1A-1 B PD-POLAR and 09-460203-1B-1 B PD-POLAR. 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.
