Vinyl pressings
by Stacey Q · 1986
Better Than Heaven was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
ST A866095A 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. SRCSide A runout
ST A 866096-A 1-1 SRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.Side B runout
ST-A-866095-SPSide A label
ST-A-866096-SPSide B label
ST A 866095 A 1-2 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. SRC SPAR B-25245-A -0-SM1-1 △14182Runout A, etched / [stamped]
ST A 866096-A 1-2 SPAR SRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. 0-SM1-1 B-25246 △14182-XRunout B, etched / [stamped]
ST-A-866095-ARSide A label
ST-A-866096-ARSide B label
MX212495Label (Side A)
MX212496Label (Side B)
P-13409-1 〄CS 1-A-2 1Side-A
P-13409-2 1-A-2 1Side-B
ST-A-866095Matrix Side A
ST-A-866096Matrix Side B
78-16761 A' CR[In A Circle]Runout Side A Etched
78-16761 B' M/C CR[In A Circle]Runout Side B Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | Atlantic 80046 / WEA 80046First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic 78 16761First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Atlantic A1-81676 / Atlantic A1 81676First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Colombia | Atlantic 6110First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Atlantic LP-73063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Atlantic 781 676-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Israel | Atlantic 781 676-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | Atlantic LWA-6561First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Philippines | Atlantic 81676-1 / WEA Records 81676-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Africa | Atlantic ATC 9858First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Korea | Oasis Records OLW-439First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 81676-1 / Atlantic 7 81676-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 81676LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic A1-81676 / Atlantic 7 A1-81676LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | Atlantic 81676-1 / Atlantic 7 81676-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Better Than Heaven are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Australia, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is Atlantic 81676-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 81676-1, P-13409, 80046, 78 16761) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST A866095A 1-1 ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K. SRC and ST A 866096-A 1-1 SRC ATLANTIC STUDIOS D.K.. 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.
