Vinyl pressings
by Mantronix · 1985
Needle To The Groove 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.
4 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year. 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.
HERbIE Jr :>) MANTRONIK THE BATTLE OF THE BEAT CONTINUES SLX-15XSide X runout etching
HERbIE Jr :>) SLX-15YSide Y runout etching
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKStamped both sides
SLX-00015XSide X label
HERbiE JR :^) MANTRONIX ThE BATTLE OF ThE BEAT CONTINUES SLX-0015XSide A Etched
HERbiE JR :^) SLX-15YSide B Etched
MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKBoth Sides Stamped
SLX-0015X MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :^) MANTRONIX ThE BATTLE OF ThE BEAT CONTINUESPrinted in runout, Side X, MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK stamped
SLX-15Y MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :^)Printed in runout, Side Y, MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK stamped
SLX-00015XPrinted on label, Side X
SLX-15YPrinted on label, Side Y
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 | US | Sleeping Bag Records SLX-00015 / Sleeping Bag Records SLX-15First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | US | Sleeping Bag Records SLX-00015 / Sleeping Bag Records SLX-15First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Sleeping Bag Records LX-15First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Sleeping Bag Records SLX-01512", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1985 | US | Sleeping Bag Records SLX-00015 / Sleeping Bag Records SLX-15First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | US | Warlock Records WR-813-112", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| 1999 | US | Warlock Classics WR-813-112", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| 1999 | US | Warlock Records WR-813-112", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| 1999 | US | Warlock Classics WR-813-112", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | US | Sleeping Bag Records SLX-01512", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 12", 45 RPM, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Sleeping Bag Records SLX-0001512", 45 RPM, Reissue | 12", 45 RPM, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Needle To The Groove are listed here, from 1 country, released between 1985 and 2003.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US. One of them is Sleeping Bag Records SLX-00015.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SLX-00015, LX-15) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, HERbIE Jr :>) MANTRONIK THE BATTLE OF THE BEAT CONTINUES SLX-15X and HERbIE Jr :>) SLX-15Y. 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.
