Vinyl pressings
by Love And Rockets · 1989
So Alive was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1989, 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.
BEG 229T-A1 The Exchange MT 1 DAMONTSide A, variant 1
BEG 229T-B-1 Jonz MT 1 DAMONTSide B, variant 1
BEG-229T-A1. The Exchange MT 1. DAMONT CSide A, variant 2
BEG-229T-B-1 MT 1 Jonz DAMONT XSide B, variant 2
BEG.229-A-1 MT 1 TheExchange FSide A runout, etched
BEG.229-B-1 MT 1 JONZ DSide B runout, etched
8956.7.RASide A, hand-etched runout
8956.7.R.BSide B, hand-etched runout
8956.7.RASide A, hand-etched runout [variant 1]
8956.7.R.B n E 2Side B, hand-etched runout [variant 1]
8956·7·RASide A, hand-etched runout [variant 2]
8956.7·R·BSide B, hand-etched runout [variant 2]
8956·7 RARunout, both sides
8956-7-R-ALabel matrix, both sides
X89081-1-RDAB A PRPSide A runout, variant 1
X89081-1-RDAB B PRPSide B runout, variant 1
X8908·1·RDAB·A PRP HF ¢Side A runout, variant 2
X8908·1·RDAB·B PRPSide B runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australasia | RCA Victor XB 01466First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australasia | RCA Victor XB 01466First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australasia | RCA Victor XB 01466First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Australia | RCA Victor XD 01467First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Canada | Vertigo 874 721-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Vertigo 874 542-7 / Beggars Banquet 874 542-7First year7", 45 RPM, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Vertigo DJV 338First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Costa Rica | RCA Victor 8055194 / Beggars Banquet 8055194First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | RCA PB49399 / Beggars Banquet PB49399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | RCA PT 49400First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | France | RCA PB 49399 / Beggars Banquet PB49399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Italy | RCA PB 49399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Spain | RCA PB 49399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Spain | BMG Music PB 49399 1AFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Spain | RCA PT-49400 / RCA 3A PT-49400First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Spain | Old Gold OLD GOLD-039-MX / Contraseña Records OLD GOLD-039-MX12", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Beggars Banquet BBQ2656TE12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc, Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Picture Disc · Limited, Picture disc, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | RCA RX-7407", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| ? | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 2297", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
25 vinyl pressings of So Alive are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1989 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEG 229T, released August 7, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEG 229T, BEG 229, 8956-7-R, 8956-7-RAA) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEG 229T-A1 The Exchange MT 1 DAMONT and BEG 229T-B-1 Jonz MT 1 DAMONT. 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.
