Vinyl pressings
by The Cult · 1987
Electric was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 20 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.
BEGA . 80 . A MASTERDISK HW MT.6 DAMONT BFRunout Side A, variant 1, etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
BEGA . 80 . B MASTERDISK MT. DAMONT A| HWRunout Side B, variant 1, etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
BEGA . 80 . A MASTERDISK MT. 4 IRunout Side A, variant 2, etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
BEGA . 80 . B MASTERDISK MT. 4Runout Side B, variant 2, etched, 'MASTERDISK' stamped
BEGA . 80G A MASTERDISK HW MT.7Side A, runout, etched / stamped, variant 1
BEGA 80G B MT.6 MASTERDISK HWSide B, runout, etched / stamped, variant 1
BEGA . 80G A MASTERDISK HW MT.7 ASide A, runout, etched / stamped, variant 2
BEGA 80G B MT.6 MASTERDISK HWSide B, runout, etched / stamped, variant 2
BEGA 80 A MT. DAMONT B MASTERDISKSide A runout
BEGA.80. B MT. DAMONT A MASTERDISKSide B runout
BEGA 80 · A MASTERDISK HW MT.6 DAMONTSide A runout variant 1
BEGA 80 · B MASTERDISK HW MT DAMONTSide B runout variant 1
BEGA 80 · A MASTERDISK HW MT. DAMONTSide A runout variant 2
BEGA · 80 · B MASTERDISK HW MT. DAMONT 3Side B runout variant 2
BEGA 80 . A MT HW MASTERDISK 11Runout side A, variant 1
BEGA . 80 . B MT. HW MASTERDISK 7Runout side B, variant 1
BEGA 80 - A MT HW MASTERDISK 1 6Runout side A, variant 2
BEGA . 80 - B MT. HW MASTERDISK 1 6Runout side B, variant 2
BEGA 80 . A MASTERDISK MT DAMONTRunout Side A - Etched
BEGA . 80 . B MASTERDISK MT DAMONTRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Argentina | Virgin TLP-90063First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Argentina | Virgin TLP-90063First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Australasia | Beggars Banquet BEGA 80 / Virgin BEGA 80First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | Virgin BEGA 80 / Beggars Banquet BEGA 80First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Brazil | Virgin 130.8008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo 830 916-1 / Beggars Banquet 830 916-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Vertigo 830 916-1 / Beggars Banquet 830 916-1First yearLP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1987 | Europe | Beggars Banquet 208 223-630 / Beggars Banquet 208 223First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 70513First yearLP | LP |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 50266First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 50266 / Beggars BanquetFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Israel | CBS BEGA 80-1 / Beggars Banquet BEGA 80-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin BEGA 80 / Beggars Banquet BEGA 80First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Beggars Banquet BEGA 80First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Philippines | Virgin V-4685 / Beggars Banquet BEGA 80First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2298 LPLP, Reissue, White Label | LP, Reissue, White Label |
| 2023 | Europe | Beggars Arkive BBQ 2298 LPE / Beggars Banquet BBQ 2298 LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Beggars Arkive BBQ 2298 LP / Beggars Banquet BBQ 2298 LPLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | Virgin LAE - 815 / Beggars Banquet LAE - 815LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Spain | Virgin LL-208223 / Virgin LL-208 223LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
42 vinyl pressings of Electric are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1987 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Ireland, Yugoslavia and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEGA 80, released April 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEGA 80, BEGA 80G, 9 25555-1, LSBEG 11169) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEGA . 80 . A MASTERDISK HW MT.6 DAMONT BF and BEGA . 80 . B MASTERDISK MT. DAMONT A| HW. 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.
