Vinyl pressings
by Public Enemy · 1988
Night Of The Living Baseheads was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 7 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.
XSS- ̷0̷8̷ 08121-A- 1B G1 A9 MASTERDISK HW[Variant 1] A-side runout etched
XSS- 08121-B- 1B G1 B8 MASTERDISK HW[Variant 1] B-side runout etched
XSS- ̷0̷8̷ 08121-A- 1B G1 A12 MASTERDISK HW[Variant 2] A-side runout etched
XSS- 08121-B- 1B G1 A6 MASTERDISK HW[Variant 2] B-side runout etched
ZSS-08072A-1A D G1 MASTERDISKSide A Runout
ZSS-08072B-1A G1 ACSide B Runout
ZSS 08072ASide A Label
ZSS 08072BSide B Label
ZSS-01339AA-side label
ZSS - 08072 A - 1A D G1 A4 MASTERDISKRunout side A, etched, except [D MASTERDISK] stamped
ZSS - 08072 A - 1A D G1 B2 MASTERDISKRunout side B, etched, except [D MASTERDISK] stamped
ZSS 08072ALabel sides A & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 12CXP 08121 / Columbia 12CXP 08121First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 38 08072 / Columbia 38 08072First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings 653046 6 / Def Jam Recordings DEF 653046 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEF 653046 7 / CBS DEF 653046 7First year7" | 7" |
| 1988 | Spain | Def Jam Recordings ARI 2100 / CBS ARI 2100First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Def Jam Recordings XPR1389First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | CBS DEF 653089 7 / Def Jam Recordings DEF 653046 0First year7", Limited Edition · Limited | 7", Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | UK | CBS 653046 8First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Def Jam Recordings 653046 0First year7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 44-08121 / Columbia 44-08121First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings CAS 1340 / Columbia CAS 1340First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 38-08072 / Columbia 38-08072First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings CS7-01339 / Columbia CS7-01339First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings CAS 1303 / Columbia CAS 1303First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 38-08072 / Columbia 38-08072First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
19 vinyl pressings of Night Of The Living Baseheads are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, UK & Europe, Australasia and more. One of them is Def Jam Recordings 44-08121.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44-08121, 38-08072, CAS 1340, CS7-01339) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS- ̷0̷8̷ 08121-A- 1B G1 A9 MASTERDISK HW and XSS- 08121-B- 1B G1 B8 MASTERDISK HW. 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.
