Vinyl pressings
by The Beat · 1982
Special Beat Service 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.
19 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 11 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.
REGIMENTAL IIISide A, Runout, Etched
020 Weaselle CatSide B, Runout, Etched
204923 A-1 TOWNHOUSE Made in GermanySide A, Runout, Stamped
204923 B-1 TOWNHOUSE Made in GermanySide B, Runout, Stamped
REGIMENTAL 020 204923 A-1 TOWNHOUSE Made in GermanySide A runout, etched / stamped
020 Weasels eat parsley 204923 B-1 TOWNHOUSE Made in GermanySide B runout, etched / stamped
SP-070032-A-RCA-2 I A 1 BSide A runout, var. 1
SP-070032-B-RCA-1 I A 4 C ▩Side B runout, var. 1
SP-070032-A-RCA-2 I A 1 F–Side A runout, var. 2
SP-070032-B-RCA-1 I A 4 F ▩Side B runout, var. 2
SP.070032-A-ES-2 III EMWSide A runout etched, variant 1
SP.070032-B-ES-1 EMWSide B runout etched, variant 1
SP-070032-A-ES-1 EMWSide A runout etched, variant 2
SP-070032-B-ES-1 EMWSide B runout etched, variant 2
SP-070032-A-GD-1Side A Runout, etched
SP-070032-B-GD-2Side B Runout, etched
SP-070032-ASide A, label
SP-070032-BSide B, label
SP.070032-A-mi-MR-25632Side One Runout Etched
SP.070032-B-mi-MR-25632-xSide Two Runout Etched
SP-70032-AA Label
SP-70032-BB Label
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 | Go-Feet Records L 37917 / Go-Feet Records LD 37917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | I.R.S. Records SP 70032 / I.R.S. Records SP70032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Arista 204 923First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Arista Records BEAT 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Arista 25RS-183First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | Arista 25RS-183First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Arista ARI 90017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Go-Feet Records SBLL 6151First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 90017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Spain | Go-Feet Records I-204923First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK & Europe | Go-Feet Records BEAT 5First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK & Europe | Go-Feet Records BEAT 5First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70032 / I.R.S. Records SP-70032First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP-70032 / I.R.S. Records SP70032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | I.R.S. Records SP70032 / I.R.S. Records SP-70032First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-008LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 2011 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MOFI 1-008LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| 2012 | UK & Europe | Go-Feet Records FEETLP003LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Europe | Rhino Records 603497822300LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Stereo, All Media, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Stereo, All Media, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Rhino Records RCV1 726903 / Rhino Records 603497822317LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Stereo, All Media, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo, LP, Stereo, All Media, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | Rhino Records RCV1 726903 / Rhino Records 603497820535LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
30 vinyl pressings of Special Beat Service are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1982 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK & Europe, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Go-Feet Records BEAT 5.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEAT 5, SP-70032, SP70032, SP 70032) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, REGIMENTAL III and 020 Weaselle Cat. 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.
