Vinyl pressings
by Kate Bush · 1986
Experiment IV 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.
44 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 14 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.
KB 5 A-3U-1-2 → x 1Runout, Var. 1, Side A – stamped
KB 5 B-3U-1-1- x 1Runout, Var. 1, Side B – stamped
D TOWNHOUSE KB 5 A-3U̶1- 2 → x 1Runout, Var. 2, Side A – stamped, "TOWNHOUSE" hand etched
D TOWNHOUSE KB 5 B - 1 - 1 - 2 → x 1Runout, Var. 2, Side B – stamped, "TOWNHOUSE" hand etched
12 KB 5 A-3U-1-1- TOWNHOUSESide A variant 1
12KB 5 B-3U-1-2- TOWNHOUSESide B variant 1
12 KB 5 A-3U-1-1- D II TOWNHOUSESide A variant 2
12KB 5 B-2U-1-1- D TOWNHOUSESide B variant 2
KB 5 A-6U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DSide A
KB 5 B-3U1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DSide B
KB 5ALabel side A
KB 5BLabel side B
KB 5 A-6U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DSide A, Stamped/Etched
KB 5 B-3U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSE DSide B, Stamped/Etched
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 | Australia | EMI EMI.1886 / EMI EMI 1886First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI ED.239First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI.1886 / EMI EMI 1886First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMI 1886First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America S 75179First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America B-8363First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America S75179First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1C 006 20 1533 7 / EMI 1C 006-20 1533 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 1A 006-20 1533 7 / EMI 006 20 1533 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | EMI 2015337First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | EMI 2015456First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | Not On Label 201533First year7" | 7" |
| 1986 | France | EMI 201545612", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Germany | Not On Label 20153377", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Ireland | EMI KB 5First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
46 vinyl pressings of Experiment IV are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Italy, Europe and more. One of them is EMI KB5, released October 27, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KB5, 12KB 5, KB 5, V19228) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, KB 5 A-3U-1-2 → x 1 and KB 5 B-3U-1-1- x 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.
