Vinyl pressings
by Midge Ure · 1988
Answers To Nothing was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 13 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.
CHR 1649 A1 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, A-side, etched, variant 1
CHR 1649 - B1 TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout, B-side, etched, variant 1
⋀Runout, A & B-side, stamped, variant 1,2
5Runout, A-side, stamped ,variant 2
(Side A etched): FV-41649-A-3 MASTERDISK G1
(Side B etched): FV-41649-B-3 MASTERDISK g1
FV-41649-A-2 MASTERDISK EmwSide A etched, MASTERDISK is stamped variant 1
FV-41649-B-2 MASTERDISK EmwSide B etched, MASTERDISK is stamped variant 1
FV-41649-A-1 MASTERDISK -EMW-Side A etched, MASTERDISK is stamped variant 2
FV-41649-B-2 EMW MASTERDISKSide B etched. MASTERDISK is stamped variant 2
CHR 321649ASide A label
CHR 321649BSide B label
SMX-69937Side A label
SMX-69938Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | Chrysalis CHR 321649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australia | Chrysalis L 38906First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Chrysalis 177 138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Chrysalis 1-465414 / Chrysalis 177.138First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS-41649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | Chrysalis CHS-41649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Chrysalis 209 303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Chrysalis 75208 / BMG 75208First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Israel | Chrysalis CHR 1649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Portugal | Chrysalis 615489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Sweden | Chrysalis CHR 1649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK | Chrysalis CHR 1649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Chrysalis FV 41649First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Chrysalis FV 41649First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | USA & Europe | Chrysalis FV 41649 / Chrysalis F1---21649First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Answers To Nothing are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Yugoslavia, Australasia and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1649.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1649, FV 41649, LSCHRY 78071, CHR 321649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR 1649 A1 TOWNHOUSE DMM and CHR 1649 - B1 TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
