Vinyl pressings
by Loose Ends · 1985
Hangin' On A String was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
VS74812 A-1U-1-2Side A, runout, stamped, Variant 1
VS74812 B-1U-1Side B, runout, stamped, Variant 1
VS 74812 A-2U-1-1-5 THTSide A, runout, stamped, THT etched, Variant 2
VS 74812 B-2U-1-1- 7Side B, runout, stamped, Variant 2
VS 748 A-1U-1-2-19 THTSide A runout stamped/etched, variant 1
VS 748 B-1U-1-2-34Side B runout stamped, variant 1
VS 748 A-2U-1-1⥛ 2 0 THTSide A runout stamped/etched, variant 2
VS 748 B-1U-1-2⥛ 2 0Side B runout stamped, variant 2
VS 748/14 A1 GRAMPIAN THTRunout, Var. 1, Side A – hand etched
VS 748/14 B1 GRAMPIANRunout, Var. 1, Side B – hand etched
THT VS 748/14-A1 GRAMPIANRunout, Var. 2, Side A – hand etched
VS 748/17-B1 GRAMPIANRunout, Var. 2, Side B – hand etched
VS 74812 A - 1U - 1 -Runout side A
LP FB123Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 748First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS748 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 74812First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Bolivia | RCA Victor RS - 2277First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VSX1256First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VS1256First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1256 / Virgin VSX1256First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 107 278 / Virgin 107 278-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 601 750 / Virgin 601 750-213First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 80166First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | Virgin 90184First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Ireland | Virgin VS748First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Virgin VS748First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 748 12First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | South Africa | Virgin VS 617First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | UK | Not On Label LE 00112", Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo | 12", Unofficial Release, Promo · Unofficial, Promo |
| 2002 | UK | Not On Label LE 00112", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial | 12", Unofficial Release, White Label · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | MCA Records MCA-2354312", Reissue, Unofficial Release, 33 ⅓ RPM · Unofficial | 12", Reissue, Unofficial Release, 33 ⅓ RPM · Unofficial |
| ? | Australia | Virgin VS 7487", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
31 vinyl pressings of Hangin' On A String are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 2002.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Australia, Bolivia and more. One of them is Virgin VS 748 12, released February 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 748 12, VS748, VS 748-14, VS 748-13) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS74812 A-1U-1-2 and VS74812 B-1U-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.
