Vinyl pressings
by Soft Cell · 1982
What! was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. 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 1982, the album's first year, in 14 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.
BZS 11 A3 ARUN MPORunout side A Variant 1
BZS 11 B3 MPORunout side B Variant 1
BZS 11 A4 ARUN MPORunout side A Variant 2
BZS 11 B4 MPORunout side B Variant 2
BZS 112 A//2∇420 R 1 1 9 ARUNRunout side A, variant 1
BZS 112 B//1∇420 R 1 1 5Runout side B, variant 1
BZS 112 A//1∇420 R 1 1 5 ARUNRunout side A, variant 2
BZS 112 B//2∇420 R 1 1 5Runout side B, variant 2
BZS . 11 A4 ARUN MPORunout side A variant 1
BZS 11 B4 MPORunout side B variant 1
BZS 11 A3 ARUN MPORunout side A variant 2
BZS 11 A4 MPORunout side B variant 2
BZS 11 A 5 ARUN ASide A runout (Variant 1)
BZS 11 B 4 ASide B runout (Variant 1)
BZS 11 A 4 ARUN ASide A runout (Variant 2)
BZS 11 B 4 ASide B runout (Variant 2)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Vertigo 6059 565First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | Vertigo SOVX 2313 / Some Bizzare SOVX 2313First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Vertigo SOV 2314First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Europe | Vertigo 6400 674 / Vertigo 64 00 674First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Vertigo 6059 565First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | France | Vertigo 6400 674First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Germany | Vertigo 6400 674First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Vertigo 6059 565First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Vertigo 6059 565 / Some Bizzare 6059 565First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6059 565First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Vertigo 6400 674First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1982 | Philippines | Vertigo VTG 6017First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Vertigo 6059 565 / Some Bizzare 6059 565First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1982 | South Africa | Vertigo TOS 1399First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Spain | Vertigo 60 59 565First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Vertigo 6400 67412", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Vertigo 6400 674 / Vertigo 64 00 67412", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Repress, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of What! are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1982 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, US, Ireland, Australia and more. One of them is Some Bizzare BZS 11, released August 9, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BZS 11, BZS 112, 7-29976, 6059 565) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BZS 11 A3 ARUN MPO and BZS 11 B3 MPO. 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.
