Vinyl pressings
by Pat Benatar · 1985
Sex As A Weapon was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, 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.
P VS-4-42927-AS-CP2 STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching
P VS-4-42927-BS-CP1 STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
VS4 42927 ASA-Side Label
VS4 42927 BSB-Side Label
P (ᴬᴾ) 4V9 42917-AS-P2 /\ SterlingRunout A Side Etching & Stamped
P (ᴬᴾ) 4V9 42917-BS-P2 C SterlingRunout B Side Etching & Stamped
4V9 42917 ASSide A label
4V9 42917 BSSide B label
VS-4-42927-AS-CC1 B G1 STERLING A2A-Side Runout Etching
VS-4-42927-BS-002 G1 STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching
VS4 42927 ASLabel A
VS4 42927 BSLabel B
(etched) P (?) VAS-2157-CP1 (stamped) STERLINGSide A runout
(etched) P (?) VAS-2157-CP3 (stamped) STERLINGSide B runout
PL (?) VAS-2157-CP2 Sterling
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Chrysalis K 9890 / Chrysalis K-9890First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1985 | Australia | Chrysalis K-9890First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Chrysalis 42927First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Europe | Chrysalis 107 858First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | France | Chrysalis 884 470-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Italy | Chrysalis CHSC 402First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9890First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS 2927 / Chrysalis CHS-2927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS 2927 / Chrysalis CHS-2927First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis VS4 42927First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis 4V9 42917First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis VAS 2157First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis VS4 42927First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Columbia VAS-2157-CP2First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Chrysalis VS4 42927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of Sex As A Weapon are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Chrysalis VS4 42927.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS4 42927, 4V9 42917, VAS 2157, VAS-2157-CP2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P VS-4-42927-AS-CP2 STERLING and P VS-4-42927-BS-CP1 STERLING. 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.
