Vinyl pressings
by Peter Green · 1981
Whatcha Gonna Do? was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
(Side 1) PET1 A-1(Stamped) (Lyre Symbol) JEFF DAMONT (Both etched) H ∆ 5720 (numbers stamped H etched)
(Side 2) PET1 B-1(Stamped) (Lyre symbol) JEFF DAMONT (Both etched) ∆5720 (stamped)
PET1 A-1 [Lyre Symbol] JEFF ∆ 5720 (stamped)Runout A, stamped (Symbol and JEFF is etched)
PET1 B-1 [Lyre symbol] JEFF ∆ 5720Runout B, stamped (Symbol and JEFF is etched)
PET 1 A-1 JEFF 5720Runout Area Side A
PET 1 B-1 JEFF 5720Runout Area Side B
MU PVK 2802 AJ MPOSide A runout, etched, variant 1
MU PVK 2802 BJ MPOSide B runout, etched, variant 1
MU PVK 2802 AJ MPOSide A runout, etched, variant 2
MU PVK 2802 A(Scratched) BJ MPOSide B runout, etched, variant 2
6.24600-01-1 H1Runout side A variant 1
6.24600-01-2 H1Runout side B variant 1
6.24600-01-1 H1Runout side A variant 2
6.24600-01-2 H1 Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | France | PVK Records PVK 2802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Creole Records 6.24600 AP / Creole Records 6.24 600First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Music-Box SMB 40168 / Music-Box M. BOX 40168First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Israel | PVK Records PET1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | PVK Records PVLP/9001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Trash AW-25005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Trash AW-25005First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Polydor 2925 119First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | PVK Records PET 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | Lotus Records LS 4123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Discophon M-6120First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Sweden | PVK Records LS 4123LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | UK | PVK Records PET1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | PVK Records PET 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | PVK Records PET1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2494 / Sanctuary MOVLP2494LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2494 / Sanctuary MOVLP2494LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP2494 / Sanctuary MOVLP2494LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | BMG BMG008 / Sanctuary BMG008LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
20 vinyl pressings of Whatcha Gonna Do? are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, France, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is PVK Records PET 1, released March 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PET 1, PET1, PVK 2802, 6.24600 AP) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (Side 1) PET1 A-1(Stamped) (Lyre Symbol) JEFF DAMONT (Both etched) H ∆ 5720 (numbers stamped H etched) and (Side 2) PET1 B-1(Stamped) (Lyre symbol) JEFF DAMONT (Both etched) ∆5720 (stamped). 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.
