Vinyl pressings
by Nitzer Ebb · 1990
Lightning Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 3 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.
P̶̷̲̅1̶̷̲̅2̶̷̲̅M̶̷̲̅U̶̷̲̅T̶̷̲̅E̶̷̲̅1̶̷̲̅0̶̷̲̅6̶̷̲̅A̶̷̲̅ı̶̷̲̅ L12MUTE106A-1 JONZ DAMONTA
P̶̷̲̅1̶̷̲̅2̶̷̲̅M̶̷̲̅U̶̷̲̅T̶̷̲̅E̶̷̲̅1̶̷̲̅0̶̷̲̅6̶̷̲̅A̶̷̲̅ı̶̷̲̅ L12MUTE106AA I DAMONT EAA
12 MUTE 106 Aı PR-E ARunout side A, variant 1
12 MUTE 106 Bı PR-E CRunout side B, variant 1
12 MUTE 106 Aı PR-E ERunout side A, variant 2
12 MUTE 106 Bı PR-E DRunout side B, variant 2
MUTE 106 A-1 DAMONT LYN 25122 FSide A variation 1
MUTE 106 B¹ DAMONT LYN 25123 GSide B variation 1
MUTE 106 A-1 DAMONT LYN 25122 ESide A variation 2
MUTE 106 B¹ DAMONT LYN 25123 GSide B variation 2
12 MUTE 106 A1 PR-E BSide A runout
12 MUTE 106 B1 PR-E BSide B runout
[SRC logo] 0-21465-A SR1 [Artisan logo] I-2Side 1 Variation 1
[SRC logo] 0-21465-B SR1 [Artisan logo] I-2Side 2 Variation 1
[SRC logo] 0-21465-A SR1 [Artisan logo] I-ISide 1 Variation 2
[SRC logo] 0-21465-B SR1 [Artisan logo] I-ISide 2 Variation 2
[SRC logo] 0-21465-A SR1 [Artisan logo] I-ISide A
[SRC logo] 0-21465-B SR1 [Artisan logo] I-ISide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Mute INT 126.925 / Mute L 12 Mute 106First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Germany | Mute INT 126.924 / Mute 12 Mute 106First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | Mute P12 MUTE 106First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | US | Geffen Records 9 21465-0 / Geffen Records 0-21465First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | US | Geffen Records 0-21465First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | US | Geffen Records 0-21465First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | US | Geffen Records 0-2146512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1990 | UK | Mute L12MUTE106First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Single · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Single · Limited |
| 1990 | UK | Mute 12MUTE106First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | Mute MUTE 106First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1990 | UK | Mute 12 MUTE 106First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
11 vinyl pressings of Lightning Man are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, US, Germany. One of them is Mute L12MUTE106, released February 5, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use L12MUTE106, 12MUTE106, MUTE 106, 12 MUTE 106) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P̶̷̲̅1̶̷̲̅2̶̷̲̅M̶̷̲̅U̶̷̲̅T̶̷̲̅E̶̷̲̅1̶̷̲̅0̶̷̲̅6̶̷̲̅A̶̷̲̅ı̶̷̲̅ L12MUTE106A-1 JONZ DAMONT and P̶̷̲̅1̶̷̲̅2̶̷̲̅M̶̷̲̅U̶̷̲̅T̶̷̲̅E̶̷̲̅1̶̷̲̅0̶̷̲̅6̶̷̲̅A̶̷̲̅ı̶̷̲̅ L12MUTE106AA I DAMONT E. 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.
