Vinyl pressings
by Sigue Sigue Sputnik · 1988
Success was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 11 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.
12 SSS -X- 3AA̶̷ -1-1-1̶̷A side - stamped
12 555 - A̶ X-3 B-1-1-2B side - stamped
12 SSS -X- 3AA̶̷ -1-1-1̶̷ D ARE YOU HIGH?Runout side A, variant 2
12 555 - A̶ X-3 B-1-1-2 DRunout side B, variant 2
12•SSS3 A 1-1-1- Penthouse JUST SAY "YES" Skz.A side
12SSS 3 B-1-1-1 PenthouseB side
12 2619 6AX-1-1-1A side strikethrough
12 26 196 B-1-1-1-B side strikethrough
D SSS3A-1 -1 - R 6196 A-1-1-1 RUGS NOT DRUGS SRZA side runout, Variant 1
SSS 3 B-1-1 - 3 DB side runout, Variant 1
D SSS3A-1 -1 - R 6196 A-1-1-1 RUGS NOT DRUGS SRZA side runout, Variant 2
D SSS 3 B-1-1-2 R 6196-B-1-1-B side runout, Variant 2
12 SSS 3 1̶2̶ ̶R̶6̶1̶9̶ ̶6̶ AB̶-1-1-1 JUST SAY "YES". SRz.Side A runout, stamped / etched
12 SSS 3 1̶2̶ ̶R̶6̶1̶9̶ ̶6̶ B-1-1-1 PenthouseSide B runout, stamped / etched
D SSS3A-1 -1 - ̶R̶ ̶6̶1̶9̶6̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶-̶1̶-̶1̶ "RUGS NOT DRUGS" SRZRunout side A
D SSS 3 B-1-1-2 ̶R̶ ̶6̶1̶9̶6̶ ̶B̶-̶1̶-̶1̶-̶Runout side B
D SSS3A-1 -1 - ̶R̶ ̶6̶1̶9̶6̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶-̶1̶-̶1̶ "RUGS NOT DRUGS" SRZRunout side A
D SSS 3 B-1-1-2 ̶R̶ ̶6̶1̶9̶6̶ ̶B̶-̶1̶-̶1̶-̶Runout side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | EMI EMI 2190First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | EMI ED 398First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | EMI-Manhattan Records E1-75243First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | EMI-Manhattan Records B 73073First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 060-20 3066 6 / Parlophone K 060 20 3066 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Germany | Parlophone 20306577", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | Parlophone 052-2030666First year12", Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI 20 3066 6 / EMI 14 2030666First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | Italy | Parlophone 06 2030657First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Japan | EMI PRP-1353First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Mexico | EMI SEC 639First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Portugal | Parlophone 20300657First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Spain | EMI Electrola 052-20 3066 6 / EMI 20 3066 6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Spain | EMI 006-2030657First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | UK | Not On Label 12 RX 6196First year12", White Label | 12", White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Toshiba EMI Ltd PRP-833012", Single, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Single, Promo, White Label · Promo |
25 vinyl pressings of Success are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Parlophone 12 SSSX 3, released November 7, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 SSSX 3, 12 SSS 3, SSS 3, 12 SSSW3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 SSS -X- 3AA̶̷ -1-1-1̶̷ and 12 555 - A̶ X-3 B-1-1-2. 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.
