Vinyl pressings
by Ratt · 1986
Dancing Undercover 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.
21 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
STA 866121 A DMM STERLING 1-3Side A, runout, variant 1
STA 866122 A DMM STERLING 1-1Side B, runout, variant 1
STA 866121 A DMM STERLING 1-7Side A, runout, variant 2
STA 866122 A DMM STERLING 1-1Side B, runout, variant 2
STA 866121 A DMM STERLING TJ 1-1Side A, variant 1
STA 866 122 A DMM STERLING TJ SP 2-2Side B, variant 1
STA 866121 A DMM STERLING TJ SP 3-1Side A, variant 2
STA 866122 A DMM STERLING TJ 1-1Side B, variant 2
STA 866121 A DMM STERLING TJ 1-2 SPAR 0- △14404 B-25456-A DMMSide A runout
STA 866122 A DMM STERLING TJ 1-2 SPAR 0- △14404-X B-25457-A DMMSide B runout
ST-A-866121-ARSide A label
ST-A-866122-ARSide B label
STA 866121 A DMM STERLING tj 1-2 SPAR o △14404 B-25456-A DMMSide A runout
STA 866122 A DMM STERLING TJ 1-2 SPAR 0- △14404-X B-25457-A DMMSide B runout
ST-A-866121-ARSide A label
ST-A-866122-ARSide B label
P-13388-1 1-A- 3 I 〄CSSide A runout, variant 1
P-13388-2 1-A- 6 ISide B runout, variant 1
P-13388-1 1-A- 5 I 〄CSSide A runout, variant 2
P-13388-2 1-A- 4 ISide B runout, variant 2
LWA-6554-ARun-out area A-side [Stamped]
LWA-6554-BRun-out area B-side [hand-etched]
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 | Argentina | Atlantic 80048 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | Atlantic 81683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Atlantic 30.179First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic 78 16831First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic A1 81683LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic 78 16831First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Atlantic LP-73065First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Atlantic 781 683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Atlantic 781 683-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Atlantic 781 683-1First yearLP, Album, Mispress | LP, Album, Mispress |
| 1986 | Europe | Atlantic 781 683-1First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Stereo | LP, Album, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Atlantic 781 683-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Atlantic 781683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Atlantic 781 683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Atlantic 781683-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Unknown | BMG 53860001 / Atlantic 53860001LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | UK & Europe | Atlantic 538680001 / BMG 538680001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | USA & Canada | Atlantic 538680001 / BMG 538680001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
30 vinyl pressings of Dancing Undercover are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1986 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Japan, Mexico, Argentina and more. One of them is Atlantic 7 81683-1, released September 24, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7 81683-1, P-13388, LWA-6554, 80048 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STA 866121 A DMM STERLING 1-3 and STA 866122 A DMM STERLING 1-1. 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.
