Vinyl pressings
by Robert Cray · 1986
Strong Persuader 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.
22 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 8 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.
422-830-5681-A -1 I A2HRunout Side A, variant 1
422-830-5681-B -1 I A1PRunout Side B, variant 1
422-830-5681-A -1 I A1ARunout Side A, variant 2
422-830-5681-B -1 I A1DRunout Side B, variant 2
B- ▷ 422-830-5681-A-REV- HRMSide A runout, variant 1
B- ▷ 422 830-568-1-BSide B runout, variant 1
C-3 ▷ 422-830-568-ASide A runout, variant 2
B- ▷ 422 830-568-1-BSide B runout, variant 2
422-8305681-A c-1 G1 B5Side A etched
422-83056 81-BS c-1∞ G1 B5Side B etched
422-8305681-AS c-1 G1 B5Side A etched (variant 2)
422-83056 81-BS c-1 ̷#̷ G1 D2Side B etched (variant 2)
8305681-A HUBSide A runout etched
8305681-B HUBSide B runout 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 | Australasia | Mercury 830 568-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 830 568-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | Mercury 830 568-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury 830 568-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury 830 568-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 568-1 / Hightone Records 830 568-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 568-1 / Hightone Records 830 568-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 568-1 / Hightone Records 830 568-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | Mercury 830 568-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | Mercury 830 568-1 / Hightone Records 830 568-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Italy | Mercury 830 568-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERH 97First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERH 97First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERH 97First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury MERH 97First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | South Korea | Polygram Limited SEL-RP 2239 / Mercury 830 568-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Analogue Productions APB 051 / Universal Music Special Markets B0017989-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2013 | US | Analogue Productions APB 050LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2017 | Italy | MercuryLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Europe | Mercury MOVLP3084 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP3084LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Spain | MercuryLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2023 | Spain | Mercury 0600753975473 / Elemental Music 700196LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury 830 568-1 M-1 / Mercury 422 830 568-1 M-1LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
38 vinyl pressings of Strong Persuader are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1986 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australasia, Australia and more. One of them is Mercury 830 568-1 M-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 830 568-1 M-1, 830 568-1, 422 830-568-1 M-1, MERH 97) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 422-830-5681-A -1 I A2H and 422-830-5681-B -1 I A1P. 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.
