Vinyl pressings
by The B-52's · 1983
Whammy! 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.
22 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 16 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.
1 2 3819 A WW2Side A runout, variant 1
1 2 3819 B WW2Side B runout, variant 1
1 2 3819 A WW1 #4 -----◁ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
1 2 3819 B WW2 #3 -----◁ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
1 2 3819 A SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-17954-SH2 SLM △ 4090 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
1-23819-B SH1 B-17955-SH1 SLM △4090-X 1-1 STERLING ̶T̶2̶3̶8̶6̶7̶Side B runout, variant 1
1 2 3819 A SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-17954-SH1 SLM △ 4090 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
1-23819-B SH2 B-17955-SH2 SLM STERLING △4090-X 1-1Side B runout, variant 2
1 2 3819 A JW1 #1 0 STERLINGSide A runout variant 1
1 2 3819 B JW2 #1 0 STERLINGSide B runout variant 1
1 2 3819 A JW2 #1 0 STERLINGSide A runout variant 2
1 2 3819 B JW2 #2 0 STERLINGSide B runout variant 2
1 2 3819 A SR1 1-1Runout Side A [Etched w/ Specialty Records "SRC" machine-stamped logo]
1-23819-B SR2 1-1Runout Side B [Etched w/ Specialty Records "SRC" machine-stamped logo]
STERLINGRunout Sides A and B [Stamped]
ILPS 9759 A-1U-1-1-Side A: Etched
GRAEME - SOUND CLINICSide A: Scratched
ILPS 9759 B-1U-1-1-0Side B: Etched
205483 A-1/83S I Made in GermanyRunout side A - stamped
205483 B-1/83S I Made in GermanyRunout side B - stamped
S 205 483 ALabel side A
S 205 483 BLabel 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 | Warner Bros. Records 23819-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 26.104First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 38191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Island Records 205 649 / Island Records 205 649-320LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1983 | France | Island Records 812 554-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | Island Records ILPS 9759First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Island Records ILPS 19759First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Island Records 25S-166First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records LWB-6182LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records 23819-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records 23819-1 / Warner Bros. Records 23819 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Peru | Warner Bros. Records Y-WBR-0023819.0LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Portugal | Island Records 205 483First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Island Records ILPS 9759 / Island Records ILPS-9759First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Island Records I-205.483First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Warner Records RCV1 23819 / Warner Records 603497867847LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Warner Bros. Records 1-23819 / Warner Bros. Records SLIN 3509LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 604.7042 / Warner Bros. Records 26.104LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 205 649 / Island Records 205649LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 205 649 / Island Records 205649LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 205 649LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Island Records 205 649LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Guatemala | Warner Bros. Records 1-23819LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Island Records I-205.483LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Island Records I-205.483LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Island Records ILPS 9759LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-23819 / Warner Bros. Records 9 23819-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
39 vinyl pressings of Whammy! are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1983 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 23819-1, released April 27, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 23819-1, 1-23819, ILPS 9759, 205 483) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 2 3819 A WW2 and 1 2 3819 B WW2. 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.
