Vinyl pressings
by Simple Minds · 1983
Waterfront was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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 636 A-3U1-2-X1Side A, stamped runout, variant 1
VS-636 B-2U-2-2-0 MacCracknelSide B, stamped/etched runout, variant 1
VS 636 A-3U-1-2-14Side A, stamped runout, variant 2
VS 636-B-2U-1-1-18 MacCracknelSide B, stamped/etched runout, variant 2
VS 63612 A-1U-1-| LASHER THE CAKEMANRunout side A, Variant 1
VS 63612B-2U-1-| DAN YER MANRunout side B, Variant 1
VS 63612 A-2U-1-2- LASHER THE CAKEMANRunout side A, Variant 2
VS 63612 B-1U-1-2-1 DAN YER MANRunout side B, Variant 2
VS 636 A-3U-1-1–X1Side A, stamped - variant 1
VS 636 B-1U-1-1–X1 MacCracknelSide B, stamped/etched - variant 1
VS 636 A-3U-1-2–11Side A, stamped - variant 3
VS 636 B-1U-1-3-6 MacCracknelSide B, stamped/etched - variant 3
VS 636 A-3U-1- 1 1 1Runout side A
VS 636 B-2U-1- 1 1 X1 Mac CracknelRunout side B
PIRHANA VDJ 636 A-3U-1-1-1Etched Runout Side A
VDJ 636 B-1U-1-2-1Etched Runout Side B
VDJ636ALabel Runout Side A
VDJ636BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS636-12 / Virgin VS 63612First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS636 / Virgin VS 636First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS 636First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS636-12 / Virgin VS 63612First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Australia | Virgin VS636-12 / Virgin VS 63612First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1174First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Virgin VS 1174First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1983 | Europe | Virgin 105 983-100 / Virgin 105 983First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | France | Virgin 601064First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1983 | Germany | Virgin 601 064-213 / Virgin 601 064First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Virgin 062 VG2006ZFirst year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin VS636First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Ireland | Virgin VS636-12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VINX 31First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45091First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK & Europe | Virgin 47192827", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | 7", 45 RPM, Record Store Day, Single, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
33 vinyl pressings of Waterfront are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1983 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, France, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS636, released November 14, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS636, VS636-12, VDJ636, 105983) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 636 A-3U1-2-X1 and VS-636 B-2U-2-2-0 MacCracknel. 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.
