Vinyl pressings
by Peter Gabriel · 1986
Big Time was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, 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.
0-20600-A-SR-1 [Artisan logo] 1-2 [SRC logo]Side A runout
0-20600-B-SR-1 [Artisan logo] 1-2 [SRC logo]Side B runout
[SRC logo] 7-28503-A-SR-2 [Artisan logo]Runout Side A, variant 1
[SRC logo] 7-28503-B-SR-1 I IRunout Side B, variant 1
[SRC logo] 7-28503-A-SR-2 [Artisan logo] I IRunout Side A, variant 2
[SRC logo] 7-28503-B-SR-1 I IRunout Side B, variant 2
7-28503-A-SH-2 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-16868-SH2 △14799 1-1A Side Runout
7-28503-B-SH-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-16869-SH1 △14799-X 1-1B Side Runout
7-28503-AA Side Label
7-28503-BB Side Label
0-20600-A-SH-1 [Artisan logo] B-26042-SH1 Δ14967 1-1 [Allied logo]Side A runout
0-20600-B-SH-1 [Artisan logo] B-26043-SH1 Δ14967-X 1-1 [Allied logo]Side B runout
PRO-A1-2625-SH-2 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25858-SH2 △14797 1-1Side A runout
PRO-A2-2625-SH-2 [Artisan logo] [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25859-SH2 △14797-X 1-1Side B runout
7-28503-DJ-SH-1 [Artisan logo] ɑ R-16878-SH1 △14817 1-1Runout side A
7-28503-A-SH-2 [Artisan logo] ɑ R-16868-SH2 △14799 1-1Runout side B
7-28503-DJ-SH-1 [Artisan logo] ɑ R-16878-SH1 △14817 1-1Runout side A
7-28503-A-SH-1 [Artisan logo] ɑ R-16868-SH1 △14799 1-1Runout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 85037First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 85037First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 85037First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Philippines | Virgin VS-8075First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records 0-20600 / Geffen Records 9 20600-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records 7-28503 / Geffen Records 9 28503-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records PRO-A-2625First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records 7-28503-DJ / Geffen Records 7-28503-AFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records 7-28503 / Geffen Records 9 28503-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records 0-20600 / Geffen Records 9 20600-0 AFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin PGS 31212", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin PGS 37", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin PGS 37", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 0600012", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 108 850 / Virgin 108 850-1007", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Virgin PGS 37", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
30 vinyl pressings of Big Time are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Canada, Philippines. One of them is Geffen Records 0-20600.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 0-20600, 7-28503, PRO-A-2625, 7-28503-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0-20600-A-SR-1 [Artisan logo] 1-2 [SRC logo] and 0-20600-B-SR-1 [Artisan logo] 1-2 [SRC logo]. 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.
