Vinyl pressings
by Marsha Raven · 1984
False Alarm was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, the album's first year, in 6 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.
PASH- 12 29. -A1. POUNDA TA1PE MT. DAMONTRunout etched side A
PASH- 12 29-B1. DAMONT B MT.1Runout etched side B
PASH 12 29 A*Label side A
PASH 12 29 B*Label side B
PASH. 1229A2.A-Side Runout Etching
PASH 1229 ̷B̷2̷ AAAA-Side Runout Etching
PASH. 1229A2. PAG. POUNDA TA1PEA-Side Runout Etching (Version 2)
PASH 1229 ̷B̷2̷ AA PAG JAAA-Side Runout Etching (Version 2)
PASH-12.29-A1 POUNDA TA1PE DAMONT MT.Runout etched side A
PASH-12.29-B1 DAMONT MT.1Runout etched side B
PASH-29 A-2 *MT*1 DAMONT B1 JASide A Etched
PASH-29 B-1 *MT*1 DAMONT C1Side B Etched
MS130 A 21C1 K.G. REFRESHES EARS, OTHER RECORDS DON'T REACHRunout side A
MS130 B 21C1 K.G.Runout side B
ZYX 5142ALabel side A
ZYX 5142BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Germany | ZYX Records ZYX 5142First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Mexico | Musart TI-70837 / Trebol TI-70837First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Mexico | Musart MI 31198First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | High Fashion Music MS 130 / Dureco Benelux MS 130First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Dureco Benelux 49.10 / High Fashion Music 49.10First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | High Fashion Music MS 130 / Dureco Benelux MS 130First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Portugal | Passion PRM/78First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | South Africa | Passion PAS 6First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | Passion PASM 1206First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | UK | Passion PASH 12 29First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Passion PASH 12 29First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Passion PASH 12 29First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | UK | Passion PASH 29First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | UK | Passion PASH 12 2912", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
14 vinyl pressings of False Alarm are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands and more. One of them is Passion PASH 12 29.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PASH 12 29, PASH 29, ZYX 5142, TI-70837) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PASH- 12 29. -A1. POUNDA TA1PE MT. DAMONT and PASH- 12 29-B1. DAMONT B MT.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.
