Vinyl pressings
by Ric Ocasek · 1986
This Side Of Paradise 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.
14 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.
GHS-2 4098-A-SR1 MASTERDISK RL [SRC Logo]Side A runout, variant 1
GHS-2 4098-B-SR2 1-2 [SRC Logo]Side B runout, variant 1
GHS-2 4098-A-SR1 MASTERDISK RL 1-1 [SRC Logo]Side A runout, variant 2
GHS-2 4098-B-SR1 1-1 [SRC Logo]Side B runout, variant 2
GHS-2- 24098-A-SH1 MASTERDISK RL ɑ B-24916 SH1 ∆ 13846 1-2Etched Side A, except "ɑ" & "MASTERDISK" Stamped, variant 1
GHS-2- 24098-B-SH1 ɑ B-24917 SH1 ∆ 13846-X 1-2Etched Side B, except "ɑ" Stamped, variant 1
GHS-2̶ -24098-A-SH1 MASTERDISK RL [Allied logo] B-24916-SH1 ∆13846 1-2Runout side A, variant 2
GHS-2̶ -24098-B-SH1 [Allied logo] B-24917-SH1 ∆13846-X 1-2Runout side B, variant 2
XGHS 24098 A1 S CRSide A runout
XGHS 24098 B1 CRSide B runout
GHS-24098-A-SHI RL B-24916 SHI 13846Side 1
GHS-24098-B-SHI B-24917-SHI 13846-xSide 2
(Side One) 24098-1 Å MX212333
(Side Two) 24098-1 Å MX212334
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 | Australia | Geffen Records 24098-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records GHS 24098LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | Geffen Records 924 098-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Israel | Geffen Records BAN 924098-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Geffen Records 92 4098-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records LWB-6556 / Geffen Records LWB-6556First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Portugal | Geffen Records 1590961First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Geffen Records 924098-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24098LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1986 | Venezuela | Warner Bros. Records 3153First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Geffen Records P-13376First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Geffen Records P-13376First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Argentina | Geffen Records 80034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 24098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Geffen Records GHS 24098First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of This Side Of Paradise are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Japan, Argentina, Canada and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 24098, released November 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 24098, P-13376, 80034, XGHS 24098) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GHS-2 4098-A-SR1 MASTERDISK RL [SRC Logo] and GHS-2 4098-B-SR2 1-2 [SRC Logo]. 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.
