Vinyl pressings
by The Beat · 1983
What Is Beat? 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.
15 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
A-7998 A-1Variant 1, runout side A
A-7998 B-2Variant 1, runout side B
A-7999 A-1 FREBE 1Variant 1, runout side C
A-7999 B-1 FREBE 1Variant 1, runout side D
A-7998 A-1 III REGIMENTAL MCMUFFIN TOWNHOUSE MADE IN GERMANY 020Side A runout
A-7998 B-2 II TO THE VERY DROP TOWNHOUSE MADE IN GERMANYSide B runout
BEAT 6-ASide A label
BEAT 6-BSide B label
15 SMX60999 P2ASide 1 etched
9 SMX61000 P2ASide 2 etched
4 SMX-61179 UR4Side 3 etched
5 SMX-61180Side 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Go-Feet Records L 38032First yearLP, Compilation, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Compilation, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | Australia | Go-Feet Records L 38032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Australia | Go-Feet Records L 38032LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Australia | Go-Feet Records L-38032First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1983 | Brazil | Arista 814 172-1 4First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Europe | Arista 205 586First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Germany | Go-Feet Records BEAT 6 / Go-Feet Records BEAT6First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Ireland | Arista Beat 6First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Israel | Go-Feet Records BAN BEAT 6 / Go-Feet Records BEAT 6First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Go-Feet Records ARI 90067 / Arista ARI 90067First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Go-Feet Records L 38032First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Go-Feet Records L38032 / Go-Feet Records BEAT6First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | LP, Compilation, Stereo, LP, Compilation, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1983 | Portugal | Dacapo 205 586First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | Spain | Go-Feet Records I-205586 / Arista I-205586First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1983 | UK | Go-Feet Records BEAT 6 / Go-Feet Records BEAT6First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Arista VPL1 7542LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | New Zealand | Go-Feet Records VPL1 7542LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
18 vinyl pressings of What Is Beat? are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Australia, Brazil, Europe and more. One of them is Go-Feet Records BEAT 6.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEAT 6, L 38032, L-38032, 814 172-1 4) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A-7998 A-1 and A-7998 B-2. 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.
