Vinyl pressings
by Rock And Hyde · 1987
Dirty Water was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 6 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.
V-1-15284-601326-A-Z1 1-1 STERLING SRCRunout side A
V-2-15284-601326-601333 - Z4 1-1 STERLING SRCRunout side B
601326ASide A label
601326, 601333Side B label
EMI 5598 A-1U-1-Q2-R1 STERLING 7" ASide A runout
EMI 5598 B-3-1-Q3-R3 DSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | EMI ED 253First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Australia | EMI EMI 1927First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Numbered, Stereo · Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Numbered, Stereo · Numbered |
| 1987 | Australia | EMI EMI 1927First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Canada | Capitol Records S-75182First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Canada | Capitol Records B-73019 / Capitol Records B 73019First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Capitol Records B-73019First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0293First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Ecuador | EMI 103-0293First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | EMI EMS-17710First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | EMI EMI 5598First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1987 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5598First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | EMI 12 EMI 5598First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Capitol Records V-15284First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1987 | US | Capitol Records SPRO-9974First year12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Capitol Records P-B-5691First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Dirty Water are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Capitol Records V-15284.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V-15284, B-5691, SPRO-9974, P-B-5691) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V-1-15284-601326-A-Z1 1-1 STERLING SRC and V-2-15284-601326-601333 - Z4 1-1 STERLING SRC. 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.
