Vinyl pressings
by King Crimson · 1982
Beat was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 18 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.
EGLP 51 A//1▽420 R 11 2 ARUNSide A runout variant 1
EGLP 51 B//1▽420 R 11 5Side B runout variant 1
EGLP 51 A//1▽420 R 11 9 ARUNSide A runout variant 2
EGLP 51 B//1▽420 R 11 16Side B runout variant 2
1-23692 A WW-4 ------◄Var 1 Side A Etched
1-23692 B WW-3 ------◄Var 1 Side B Etched
1-23692 A WW-4 • ------◄Var 2 Side A Etched
1-23692 B WW-3 #2 ------◄Var 2 Side B Etched
[E scratched out]-1-23692-A JW2 #1 JSRunout, Side A Etched - Variant 1
[E scratched out]-1-23692-B JW1 #2 JSRunout, Side B Etched - Variant 1
[E scratched out]-1-23692-A JW3 #1Runout, Side A Etched - Variant 2
[E scratched out]-1-23692-B JW1 #3 J.S.Runout, Side B Etched - Variant 2
1-23692A-SR-CH1. SRC 1-1Runout Side A Etched, SRC Stamped
1-23692B- SR-CH1. SRC 1-1Runout Side B Etched, SRC Stamped
E-1-23692-A LW1 "E" Crossed Out (A little "star" is also stamped)Side One Etched
E-1-23692-B LW2 (A little "star" is also stamped)Side Two Etched
E-1-23692-A LW2 • [ ] *Side A variant 2 etched, “E” crossed out, stamped [ ] *
E-1-23692-B LW2 • •-• *Side B variant 2 etched, “E” crossed out, stamped •-• *
[E scratched out]-1-23692-A LW1 ✲ (asterisk stamped)Runout Side A Etched Var. 1
[E scratched out]-1-23692-B LW1 ✲ (asterisk stamped)Runout Side B Etched Var. 1
E-1-23692-A LW2 ● ✲ (asterisk stamped)Runout Side A Etched Var. 2
E-1-23692-B LW2 ● 3 ✲ (asterisk stamped)Runout Side B Etched Var. 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australasia | EG 2311 156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Polydor 2311 156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 36921 / EG 92 36921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 36921 / EG 92 36921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | EG 2311 156 / Polydor 2311 156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | EG 2311 156 / Polydor 2311 156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Polydor 2311 156 / EG 2311 156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Polydor 2311 156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | Polydor 2311 156First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | EG 2311 156 / Polydor 2311 156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | EG 2311 156 / Polydor 2311 156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Portugal | Polydor 2311 156 / EG 2311 156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Portugal | Polydor 2311 156 / EG 2311 156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | EG 2311 156 / EG 2311.156First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | South Africa | Polydor POLY 5596 / EG POLY 5596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Discipline Global Mobile KCLP9 / Panegyric KCLP9LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | Japan | Wowow Entertainment, Inc. IEPS 9LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | Discipline Global Mobile KCLP9 / Panegyric KCLP9LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2022 | Worldwide | Discipline Global Mobile KCLLP9 / Panegyric KCLLP9LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light 356LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | EG EGLP 51LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
44 vinyl pressings of Beat are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1982 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Japan, Mexico and more. One of them is EG EGLP 51, released June 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EGLP 51, 23692-1, 23692, 28MM 0180) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EGLP 51 A//1▽420 R 11 2 ARUN and EGLP 51 B//1▽420 R 11 5. 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.
