Vinyl pressings
by Scritti Politti · 1985
Perfect Way was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
VS 78012 A-2U-1-1-X: 1A-side runout, stamped, variant 1
VS 78012 B-1U-1-: ’ ’ X : THTB-side runout, stamped, variant 1
VS 78012 A-1U-1-1 ’ ’ 2A-side runout, stamped, variant 2
VS 78012 B-1U-1-1 ’ ’ THTB-side runout, stamped, variant 2
VS 780 A-1U-1-1-1A side runout, stamped, variant 1
VS 780 B-2U-1-1-3 THTB side runout, stamped / etched, variant 1
VS 780 A-2U-1- 1 5A side runout, stamped, variant 2
VS 780 B-1U-1- 1-5 THTB side runout, stamped / etched, variant 2
VS 780 A-1U-1-1-7Runout Side A
VS 780 B-1U-1-1-7Runout Side B
0•20362•ARE1•SR•1 1-1 F/W¢ SRC [logo]Runout Side A, Variant 1
0•20362•B•RE1•S•SR1 1-1 [SRC logo]Runout Side B, Variant 1
0·20362·A·REI·SR·1 1-1SM1-1 F/W¢ SRCRunout Side A, Variant 2
0-20362-B-SR1 1-1 MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORK HERbiE JR :^) FK SRCRunout Side B, Variant 2
7-28949-CNY-3689-S-SR1 1-1 [SRC logo] MASTERDISK HWSide A etched Masterdisk SRC stamped
7-28949-CNY-3689-V1-RE1-S-SR1 1-1 MASTERDISK [SRC logo]Side B etched Masterdisk SRC stamped
CNY 3689SSide A label
CNY 3689VISSide B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 780BFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 780-12 / Virgin VS-78012First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Virgin VS 780First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 03620First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 89497First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 89497First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 89497First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 602000-213 / Virgin 602 000First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | Europe | Virgin 107 569 / Virgin 107 569-100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 780First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 780-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Peru | Virgin 01.44.710203First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Philippines | Virgin VS-8045First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin VS 780First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Virgin VS 780-12DJFirst year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
28 vinyl pressings of Perfect Way are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin VS 780-12, released August 27, 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 780-12, VS 780, VS 780-12DJ, 0-20362) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 78012 A-2U-1-1-X: 1 and VS 78012 B-1U-1-: ’ ’ X : THT. 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.
