Vinyl pressings
by Rose Tattoo · 1986
Beats From A Single Drum 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.
3 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SMX66659-B R -MASTERED ON COPPER-A-side etchings
SMX66660 TP B -MASTERED ON COPPER- GA 3B-side etchings
SMX-66659A-side label
SMX-66660B-side label
101 591 A MPOA-side etchings
101 591 B MPOB-side etchings
Side 1 Etched - SMX66659-3Stamped - MASTERED ON COPPER
Side 2 Etched - SMX66660 B GAStamped - MASTERED ON COPPER
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 | France | Accord 101591First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Mushroom L 38741First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | Mushroom RML 53217 / Mushroom RML-53217First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | Mushroom RML 53217 / Mushroom RML-53217LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Austria | Bellaphon 260•31•002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | Bellaphon 260.31.002Album, LP, Reissue | Album, LP, Reissue |
| 1989 | Greece | Ariola 73016LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | South Africa | PWL Records PWL 3003 / Food For Thought Records PWL 3003LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | UK | Food For Thought Records GRUB 11LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | UK | Food For Thought Records GRUB 11LP, Album, Reissue, White Label | LP, Album, Reissue, White Label |
10 vinyl pressings of Beats From A Single Drum are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1986 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Australia, France, New Zealand. One of them is Mushroom RML 53217, released November 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RML 53217, 101591, L 38741) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMX66659-B R -MASTERED ON COPPER- and SMX66660 TP B -MASTERED ON COPPER- GA 3. 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.
