Vinyl pressings
by Lloyd Cole & The Commotions · 1987
Mainstream 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.
17 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 12 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.
LP-3-A2 DMM MASTERDISK - AV 1 1 3Side A runout, variant 1
LP-3-B2 DMM MASTERDISK - AV 1 1 3Side B runout, variant 1
LP-3-A1 DMM MASTERDISK 11 1Side A runout, variant 2
LP-3-B1 DMM MASTERDISK - AV 11 1Side B runout, variant 2
LCLP 3 A -2U-1-1Side A, runout, stamped
LC LP-3-B2-DMM MASTERDISK NSide B, runout, etched
△22010 MASTERDISK B-532462-Z [SRC] C1-1-90893-Z1 1–2 SPARSide A, runout, variant 1
[SRC] C1-2-90893-Z2 1–3 SP-AR B-32483-Z2 △22010-XSide B, runout, variant 1
△22010 MASTERDISK B-32462-Z1 [SRC] C1-1-90893-Z1 1–2 SPARSide A, runout, variant 3
B-324683Z2 △22010X [SRC] C1-2-90893-Z2 1–3 SPARSide B, runout, variant 3
1 3 LP-3-A1 DMM 1 1 MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 1
6 LP-3-B1 DMM 1 1 MASTERDISK - AVRunout side B, variant 1
6 3 LP-3-A1-DMM MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 2
2 3 LP-3-B2-DMM MASTERDISK - AVRunout side B, variant 2
833 691-1ASide A etched runout
833 691-1BSide B etched runout
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 | Australia | Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Greece | Polydor 833 691-1 / Polydor LCLP 3First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1987 | Ireland | Polydor LCLP 3 / Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Polydor LCLP 3 / Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | Polydor 833 691-1 / Polydor 833691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Capitol Records C1-90893First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Germany | Polydor 833 691-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0612First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | Polydor 28MM 0612First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Unknown | Polydor UMCLP023LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2023 | Unknown | Polydor UMCLP023LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Mainstream are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Polydor LCLP 3, released October 26, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LCLP 3, C1-90893, 833 691-1, 28MM 0612) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LP-3-A2 DMM MASTERDISK - AV 1 1 3 and LP-3-B2 DMM MASTERDISK - AV 1 1 3. 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.
