Vinyl pressings
by Peter Wolf · 1987
Come As You Are was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, the album's first year, in 12 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.
ST-1-17230-Z1-DMM 1-3 SP-AR 0- △15807 B-26779-Z1DMMSide A Runout - Etched
ST-2-17230 Z1-DMM 1-3 SP-AR 0- △15807-X B-26780-Z1DMMSide B Runout - Etched
ST-1-17230-Z1-DMM 1-1Side A runout etched
ST-2-17230 Z1-DMM 1-1Side B runout etched
2407441-A1Runout side A
2407441-B1Runout side B
ST-17230-1Side A
ST-17230-2Side B
ST-17230-1 1A 2D TOM 8Runout Side A, variant 1
ST-17230-2 1A 2D TOM 2Runout Side B, variant 1
ST-17230-1 1A 2D DM 3Runout Side A, variant 2
ST-17230-2 1A 2D DM 2Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | EMI America 58502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | EMI America 068 240744 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | EMI America ST-17230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | EMI America ST-517230LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | France | EMI America 24 0744 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | EMI America 24 0744 1LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Italy | EMI America 64 2407441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | EMI America EYS-91216First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | EMI America EYS-91216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | EMI America EYS-91216LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | Peru | EMI BE.02.0130First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Portugal | EMI America 2407441First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | EMI America 064-2407441 / EMI America 064 24 0744 1First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | EMI America ST-17230First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | EMI America ST 17230 / EMI America ST-517230LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
19 vinyl pressings of Come As You Are are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, Europe, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is EMI America ST-17230.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-17230, 1C 064-24 0744 1, 58502, 068 240744 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-17230-Z1-DMM 1-3 SP-AR 0- △15807 B-26779-Z1DMM and ST-2-17230 Z1-DMM 1-3 SP-AR 0- △15807-X B-26780-Z1DMM. 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.
