Vinyl pressings
by Kiss · 1988
Smashes, Thrashes & Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 11 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.
422-836-427-1-A- CBS DMM G1Etched on A Side Run Out Groove (Variant 1)
422-836-427-1-B- CBS DMM G2Etched on B Side Run Out Groove (Variant 1)
422-836-427-1-B- CBS DMM G2Etched on A Side Run Out Groove (Variant 2)
422-836-427-1-A- CBS DMM G1 A7Etched on A Side Run Out Groove (Variant 3)
422-836-887-1-A-1CBS DMM G4 A L-32091Side A runout / Hand etched
422-836-887-1-B-CBS DMM G6 L-32091-X ASide B runout / Hand etched
IMP#2 422-836-427-1-A- CBS DMM G1 BSide A
IMP#2 422-836-427-1-B- CBS DMM G2 BSide B
422-836-427-1-A- CBS DMM G1Side A runout, variant 1
422-836-427-1-B- CBS DMM G2Side B runout, variant 1
422-836-427-1-A- CBS DMM G1 B IMP#2Side A runout, variant 2
422-836-427-1-B- CBS DMM G2 B IMP#2Side B runout, variant 2
422-836-427-1-A- CBS DMM G1Etched on A Side Run Out Groove
422-836-427-1-B- CBS DMM G2Etched on B Side Run Out Groove
836 759 1 S1=1 670 07 119Side A Variant 1
836 759 1 S2=1 670 07 120Side B Variant 1
836 759 1 S1=1 670 07 1115Side A Variant 2
836 759 1 S2=1 670 07 1126Side B Variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | Mercury 836 427-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Brazil | Mercury 836 427-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury 836 427-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury 836 427-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Germany | Vertigo 836 772-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Vertigo 836 759-1First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1988 | Guatemala | Mercury 836 427-1 / PolyGram 836 427-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | South Africa | Mercury STARL 5544First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Spain | Vertigo 836 759-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Spain | Vertigo 836 759-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 836 887-1First yearLP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 836 427-1LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 836 427-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Venezuela | Mercury 90.123-LFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1988 | Germany | Mercury 422 836 427-1 / Mercury 836 427-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Czechoslovakia | Supraphon 11 1042 - 1 311LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | Mercury 422 836 727-1 / Mercury HM 171LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
31 vinyl pressings of Smashes, Thrashes & Hits are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1988 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, Germany, Europe, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury 422 836 427-1, released July 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 422 836 427-1, 836 887-1, 836 427-1, 836 759-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 422-836-427-1-A- CBS DMM G1 and 422-836-427-1-B- CBS DMM G2. 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.
