Vinyl pressings
by Krush · 1987
House Arrest (The Beat Is The Law) 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.
24 pressings came out in 1987, 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.
JABXR 63 A // 2▽420 T 1 1 2 JASide A variant 1
JABXR 63 B // 1 ▽420 T 1 1 2Side B variant 1
JABXR 63 A//2▽420 T 1 1 5 JASide A variant 2
JABXR 63 B// 1 ▽420 T 1 1 5Side B variant 2
* JABX-63 A-1 * JASide A run-out variant 1
* JABX-63 B-1 * MT.Side B run-out variant 1
* JABX-63 A-2 * MT JASide A runout variant 2
* JABX-63 B-1 * MT.Side B runout variant 2
* JABX-63-A-2 * MT JA 1 1Runout Side A
* JABX-63-B-1 * MT 1 11Runout Side B
JAB 63 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 2 JARunout stamped side A
JAB 63 B // 1 ∇ 420 T 1 1 2 JARunout stamped side B
JAB 63 A / 2▽420T 1 1 1Side A runout
JAB 63 B / 1▽420T 1 1 1 JASide B runout
JAB 63 A // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 1Side A Stamped Run-out
JAB 63 B // 2 ∇ 420 T 1 1 1 1Side B Stamped Run-out
JAEtched Both Sides
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 870 007-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Australia | Mercury 870 007-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury 870 257-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1987 | Canada | Mercury PMS 18First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 870 007-1 / Fon Records 870 007-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Mercury 870 007-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Mercury 870 007-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Italy | Mercury 870 007-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Mercury 870 007-1First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mercury 870 007-1First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1987 | Netherlands | Mercury 870 007-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Portugal | Mercury 870 007-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Mercury 870 007-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Club JABXR 63 / Fon Records JABXR 63First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Club JABX 63 / Club 870 007-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-8487", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
27 vinyl pressings of House Arrest (The Beat Is The Law) are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Club JABXR 63.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JABXR 63, JABX 63, KRUSH 1, JAB 63) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JABXR 63 A // 2▽420 T 1 1 2 JA and JABXR 63 B // 1 ▽420 T 1 1 2. 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.
