Vinyl pressings
by Oingo Boingo · 1990
Dark At The End Of The Tunnel 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.
6 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MCA 9609 ASR 2Side A runout etching, variant 1
MCA 9610 ASR 1Side B runout etching, variant 1
[Artisan Sound Recorders logo] ▣-G-▣Side A and B runout stamps
MCA 9609 ASR 2 [Artisan logo] I ▣-G-▣Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 9609 ASR3 [Artisan logo] S-22989Side A runout
MCA 9610 ASR 3 [Artisan logo] S-22990Side B runout
MX304677Side A label
MX304678Side B label
BMG 670.9125_A 1L B1Runout Side A
BMG 670.9125_A 1L A2Runout Side B
R/S Alsdorf 229 257148-1-A 1Runout side One
R/S Alsdorf 229 257148-1-B2 2Runout side Two
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 | Australia | MCA Records 257148-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Brazil | MCA Records 670.9125 / MCA Records 00921First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Europe | MCA Records 2292-57148-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1990 | Mexico | MCA Records LPNC-7005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | US | MCA Records MCA-6365First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | US | MCA Records MCA L33-18137First yearLP, Picture Disc, Promo, Album · Promo, Picture disc | LP, Picture Disc, Promo, Album · Promo, Picture disc |
| 1990 | US | MCA Records MCA-6365LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Rubellan Remasters RUBY45LPLP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2023 | US | Rubellan Remasters RUBY45LPLP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Rubellan Remasters RUBY45LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Rubellan Remasters RUBY45LPLP, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Rubellan Remasters RUBY45LPLP, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
12 vinyl pressings of Dark At The End Of The Tunnel are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1990 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in US, Australia, Brazil, Europe and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-6365.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-6365, MCA L33-18137, 257148-1, 670.9125) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 9609 ASR 2 and MCA 9610 ASR 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.
