Vinyl pressings
by R.E.M. · 1986
Fall On Me 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.
13 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MC-21092-MD1 MASTERDISKVar 1: Runout side A etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamp)
MC-21102-MD1 MASTERDISKVar 1: Runout side B etched ((ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamp)
MC-21092-MD3⃫ 4 MASTERDISK ◇-P-◇Var 2: Runout side A etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamp)
MC-21102-MD 3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Var 2: Runout side B etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ ◈-P-◈ stamps )
MC-21092-MD1 MASTERDISK ▣-G̶-▣ 1Runout side A, variant 1
MC-21102-MD1 MASTERDISK 1 ▣-G̶-▣Runout side B, variant 1
MC-21092-MD1 MASTERDISK ▣-G̶-▣ 1Runout side A, variant 2
MC-21102-MD1 MASTERDISK 2 ▣-G̶-▣Runout side B, variant 2
IRS – 5781 – MD–1 MASTERDISK 回-G-回 2Side A runout, etched, MASTERDISK 回-G-回 stamped
IRS – 5781 – MD–1 MASTERDISK 1 回-G-回Side AA runout, etched, MASTERDISK 回-G-回 stamped
IRS 5781Side A label
IRS 5781Side AA label
MC 21092Label - Side A, B
MC21092-MD 3̶4 MASTERDISK ♢-P̶-♢Runout, both sides
MC 21092Label matrix, both sides
IRS-5781-MD2 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout etched Masterdisk ◈-P-◈ stamped both sides
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 | I.R.S. Records IRS-52883First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Europe | I.R.S. Records ILSA 7302 / I.R.S. Records A 7302First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 121 dlFirst year12", 45 RPM, Advance | 12", 45 RPM, Advance |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17159First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-52883First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-52883First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-52883 / I.R.S. Records MC21092First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records L33-17159First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRMT 121First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 121First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | I.R.S. Records IRM 121First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | I.R.S. Records IRS-52883First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1986 | Australia | I.R.S. Records ES 1170First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Fall On Me are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is I.R.S. Records IRS-52883, released August 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IRS-52883, L33-17159, IRMT 121, IRM 121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC-21092-MD1 MASTERDISK and MC-21102-MD1 MASTERDISK. 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.
