Vinyl pressings
by Spandau Ballet · 1984
Highly Strung was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 8 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.
SPANX5A//3 ▽420C 1 1 5 Tim TomSide A runout variant 1
SPANX5B//1 ▽420C 1 1 6Side B runout variant 1
SPANX 5 A // 3 ▽ 420 C tim tomSide A runout variant 2
SPANX 5 B // 3 ▽ 420 C TY cbsSide B runout variant 2
SPAN5A /2▿42 0C 1 1 timtomSide A
SPAN5B /1▿420 C 1 2 5Side B
SPAN + P + 5 + A ORLAKERunout, A-side, etched
SPAN + P + 5 + B ORLAKE TYRunout, B-side, etched
SPANX 5A ["e" signature?] TimTom:cbsSide A Runout
SPANX 5B TYSide B Runout
SPAN5 A // 1∇4200 1 2 23 timtomStamped+etched side A
SPAN5 B // 2∇4200 1 2 3 TYStamped+etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Chrysalis K-9523 / Chrysalis span 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 106 913 / Reformation 106 913First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Chrysalis 601 539First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Chrysalis K 9523 / Chrysalis Span 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Philippines | Chrysalis CHS-7035First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Chrysalis CHSC 2830First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2830 / Chrysalis CHS 2830First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Spain | Chrysalis CHS-2830 / Chrysalis CHS 2830First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis spanx 5First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis SPAN 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Reformation SPAN 5 / Chrysalis SPAN 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis SPANX 5First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis SPAN 5First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis SPAN 5First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | UK | Chrysalis SPAN 5 / Reformation SPAN 5First year7", Single | 7", Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Highly Strung are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, Australia & New Zealand, New Zealand, Japan and more. One of them is Chrysalis spanx 5.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use spanx 5, SPAN 5, SPANX 5, X 13187) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SPANX5A//3 ▽420C 1 1 5 Tim Tom and SPANX5B//1 ▽420C 1 1 6. 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.
