Vinyl pressings
by Meat Loaf · 1981
Dead Ringer For Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 8 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.
EPC A1697·A3 EPC·A· 1̶6̶7̶9̶ A3Stamped/etched runout, side A, variant 1
EPC A1697 B4 EPC·A· 1̶6̶7̶9̶ B4Stamped/etched runout, side B, variant 1
EPC-A-1697·A1Etched runout, side A, variant 2
EPC A1697 B5 EPC·A· 1̶6̶7̶9̶ B5Stamped/etched runout, side B, variant 2
D AY 53807 EPC-A11 1697-A1Side A, runout, variant 1
EPC A+11+1697+B2 ORLAKESide B, runout, variant 1
EPCA+11+1697+A B ORLAKESide A, runout, variant 2
EPCA+11+1697+B2 ORLAKESide B, runout, variant 2
EPC·A·1697- A1A-side runout etching
EPC·A·1̶6̶7̶9̶ B5 ΛB-side runout etching
EPC-A-1697-A1Side A, runout, variant 1
EPC-A-1697-B1Side B, runout, variant 1
EPC·A·1697·A1 F 21Side A, runout, variant 2
EPC A 1697 B5 B 10 EPC·A·1̶6̶7̶9̶ B5Side B, runout, variant 2
EPC A1697·A3 EPC·A· 1̶6̶7̶9̶ A3 timtom ARunout side A
EPC A1697 B5 EPC·A· 1̶6̶7̶9̶ B5 TY 5Runout side B
EPC A1697 A*Side A label
EPC A1697 B*Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 698First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ES 698First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Bolivia | Discos CBS S 30416First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Epic E4-8449First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPCA 1697 / Epic A-1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Epic EPCA1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Epic ES 698First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC A-1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Spain | Epic EPC A-1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1697 / Epic EPC A 1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A 11-1697 / Cleveland International Records EPC A 11-1697First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1697 / Epic EPC A 1697First year7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1697 / Epic EPC A 1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1697 / Epic EPC A 1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC A1697 / Cleveland International Records EPC A1697First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | Epic 656982 7 / Cleveland International Records 656982 77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1991 | UK | Epic 656982 612", Single | 12", Single |
18 vinyl pressings of Dead Ringer For Love are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1981 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Bolivia, Canada and more. One of them is Epic EPC A1697.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EPC A1697, EPC A 11-1697, ES 698, S 30416) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EPC A1697·A3 EPC·A· 1̶6̶7̶9̶ A3 and EPC A1697 B4 EPC·A· 1̶6̶7̶9̶ B4. 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.
