Vinyl pressings
by Lou Gramm · 1987
Ready Or Not 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.
13 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 7 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.
STA 51180-3DMM SP 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout etching
STA 51188-3DMM STERLING 1-1Side B runout etching
ST-A-51180-SPSide A label
ST-A-51188-SPSide B label
ST-A-51180-ARA Label
ST-A-51188-ARB Label
STA 51180-3DMM - 1⃫ SP 1-1 STERLINGRunouts, etched
ST-A-51180-SPLabels
ST-A-51180-ARLabel (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 | Australia | Atlantic 7-89269First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Atlantic 78 92697First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Atlantic 78 92697First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Atlantic 789 269-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | Atlantic 786 664-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Spain | Atlantic 849First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic 0-86685First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic DMD 1056First year12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic 7-89269First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic 7-89269First year7", Single, Stereo, 45 RPM | 7", Single, Stereo, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic 7-89269First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Atlantic 7-89269First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | Atlantic P-2275First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of Ready Or Not are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Atlantic 7-89269, released April 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-89269, 0-86685, DMD 1056, 78 92697) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA 51180-3DMM SP 1-1 STERLING and STA 51188-3DMM STERLING 1-1. 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.
