Vinyl pressings
by Nash The Slash · 1980
Dead Man's Curve was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 2 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.
DM--4 WRC-3-1173-A-RE-3 TLC-TSide A runout area, variant 1
WRC-3-1173-BSide B runout area, variant 1
DM 4 WRC-3-1173-A-RE-3 TLC-TSide A runout area, variant 2
WRC-3-1173-B TLC-P CUT-3-B W̶R̶C̶-̶3̶-̶1̶1̶7̶3̶-̶B̶-̶1̶C̶Side B runout area, variant 2
DM--4 WRC-3-1173-A-RE-3 TLC-TSide A runout area, variant 1
WRC-3-1173-BSide B runout area, variant 1
DM 4 WRC-3-1173-A-RE-3 TLC-TSide A runout area, variant 2
WRC-3-1173-B TLC-P CUT-3-B W̶R̶C̶-̶3̶-̶1̶1̶7̶3̶-̶B̶-̶1̶C̶Side B runout area, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Cut-Throat Records CUT-3First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Canada | Cut-Throat Records CUT-3First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Dindisc DIN28First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Unknown | Dindisc din 287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Dindisc Din287", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Dindisc DIN28 / Dindisc MX1943407", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Dindisc VS 1126 / Virgin VS 11267", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Dindisc 102.949 / Dindisc 102 9497", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Portugal | Dindisc VVD-45.041ES7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | UK | Dindisc DIN 28 / Dindisc din 287", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Dead Man's Curve are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Cut-Throat Records CUT-3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CUT-3, DIN28) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DM--4 WRC-3-1173-A-RE-3 TLC-T and WRC-3-1173-B. 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.
