Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble · 1986
Live Alive 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 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.
PAL 40551-1D G1 Precision B10A Side Etch, var. 1
PBL 40551-1C G1 Precision A12B Side Etch, var. 1
PAL 40552-1C G1 Precision A8C Side Etch, var. 1
PBL 40552-1D G1 Precision A7D Side Etch, var. 1
PAL 40551-1F Precision P(P)Side A Etched
PBL 40551-1J Precision P(P)Side B Etched
PAL 40552-1B Precision PⓅSide C Etched
PBL 40552-1B Precision PⓅSide D Etched
PAL 40551-1H Precision E 40551AL-1HSide A runout etched, variant 1
PBL 40551-1H Precision E 40551BL-1HSide B runout etched, variant 1
PAL 40552-1G Precision E 40552AL-1GSide C runout etched, variant 1
PBL 40552-1G Precision E 40552BL-1GSide D runout etched, variant 1
AL-40551 1A2HZD. DM-10Runout etched A side
BL-40551 1A2HZD. DM-3Runout etched B side
AL-40552 1A2HZD. DM-10Runout etched C side
BL-40552 1A2HZDK. DM-3Runout etched D side
PAL 40551-1H A1B E 40551AL-1H Precision∙ ISide A, etched, variant 1; "A1", "I" stamped
PBL 4055x1-1H A3B E 40551BL-1H Precision ISide B, etched, variant 1; x=scratched out "2", "A3", "I" stamped
PAL 40552-1H A 3 C E 40552AL - 1H ∙Precision∙ ISide C, etched, variant 1; "A 3", "I" stamped
PBL 40552-1G A2F E 40552BL-1G ∙ Precision ∙ ISide D, etched, variant 1; "A2", "I" stamped
EPC-450238-1-A-1Side A Etched
EPC-450238-1-B-1Side B Etched
EPC-450238-1-C-1Side C Etched
EPC-450238-1-D-1Side D 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 | Australia | Epic 2ELPS 0042 / Epic ELPS 4575First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Brazil | Epic 144912/913First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPC 450238 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic 466839 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Epic EPIC 450238 1 / Epic EPC 450238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Epic 38.3P-795~6First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | Epic 38.3P-795~6First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | South Africa | Epic AGP 146/147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Epic EPC 450238 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Epic 450238 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | Epic 450238 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Epic E2 40511First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Epic E2 40511 / Epic E 40551First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Epic E2 40511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Epic E2 40511First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Epic 466839 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP662 / Epic MOVLP662LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP662LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic E2 40511LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic E2 40511LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
23 vinyl pressings of Live Alive are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Epic E2 40511.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E2 40511, 450238 1, EPC 450238 1, 2ELPS 0042) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 40551-1D G1 Precision B10 and PBL 40551-1C G1 Precision A12. 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.
