Vinyl pressings
by Lindsey Buckingham · 1984
Go Insane was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, 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.
STERLING RTB SRC STE-69714-A-6 1-2A-Side Runout Etching - Variant 1
STERLING 1-1 SRC STE-69714-B-1B-Side Runout Etching - Variant 1
STERLING RTB SRC STE-69714-A-5 1A-Side Runout Etching - Variant 2
STERLING 1-1 SRC STE-69714-B-1B-Side Runout Etching - Variant 2
ST-E-69714-A-ARA-Side Label
ST-E-69714-B-ARB-Side Label
STERLING RTB SRC STE-69714-A-7 ɑ R-12890-7 SLM △6942Etching both sides
SRC logo STE-69714-A-5 RTB STERLINGSide A&B Runout
ST-E-69714-A-SPSide A&B Label
ST-E-69714-A-ARA-Side Label
ST-E-69714-A-ARB-Side Label
STERLING RTB SRC STE-69714-A-7 ɑ R-12890-7 SLM △6942Etching both sides
ST-ED-4991-A-5 [Allied Record logo] B-19496-A5 RTB SLM Δ7011 1-1 STERLINGVariant 1 Both Sides Runout
ST-ED-4991-A-1 RTBVariant 2 Runout Etched Side A
ST-ED-4991-A-2 RTBVariant 2 Runout Etched Side B
ST-ED-4991-A-ARVariant 1 Both Sides Label
MER 168 A // 1▼420 PRunout side A
MER 168 B // 1▼420 PRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Mercury 880 073-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 97147First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | Elektra 96 97147First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | Mercury 880 073-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Germany | Mercury 880 073-1Q / Mercury 880 073-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Mexico | Mercury S/N-436First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Mercury 880 073-1First year12", Single, EP, 45 RPM | 12", Single, EP, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Mercury 880 073-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Peru | Mercury F - MER 8800737.0First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Peru | Mercury 45-70080First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Philippines | Mercury EP-MER-8501 / Mercury 880 073-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | Trutone Music TOS 1508First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Mercury 880 073-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MERX 168First year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Mercury MER 168 / Mercury 880073-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-7377", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of Go Insane are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Germany, Netherlands and more. One of them is Elektra 7-69714, released July 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-69714, ED 4991, MER 168, MERX 168) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING RTB SRC STE-69714-A-6 1-2 and STERLING 1-1 SRC STE-69714-B-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.
