Vinyl pressings
by The Cult · 1989
Sonic Temple was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 15 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 98 - A2 (single seagull shape) TAPE 1Side A runout
BEGA 98 - B2 (single seagull shape) TAPE 1Side B runout
⋀ BEGA. 98 . A4 BilBo TAPEOneSide A runout, etched / stamped
⋀ BEGA 98 - B 4 ⋀ BilBo TAPEOneSide B runout, etched / stamped
BEGA-98-A DAMONT L LYN 22860Runout side A, variant 1, etched
BEGA-98-B DAMONT K LYN 22861Runout side B, variant 1, etched
BEGA-98-A DAMONT LYN 22860Runout side A, variant 2, etched
BEGA-98-B DAMONT LYN 22861Runout side B, variant 2, etched
BEGA. 98. A4 BiLbo : TapEone ASide A runout
BEGA-98-B.4 A BilBo TAPEone ASide B runout
BEGA 98-A2 ⁀⁀ TAPE 1 ∴Side A runout, etched / stamped
BEGA 98.B-2 ⁀⁀ TAPE 1 ∴Side B runout, etched / stamped
BEGA-98-A DAMONT ASide A runout, etched
BEGA-98-B DAMONT ASide B runout, etched
BEGA-98-A DAMONT CSide A runout
BEGA-98-B DAMONT BSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Argentina | Virgin 50001 / EMI 50001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Australasia | Virgin BEGA 98 / Beggars Banquet BEGA 98First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Australia | Beggars Banquet BEGA 98TFirst yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | Australia | Beggars Banquet BEGA 98First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Brazil | EMI 068 427007- 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Canada | Beggars Banquet 838 123-1 / Vertigo 838 123-1First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1989 | Canada | Vertigo 838 123-1 / Beggars Banquet 838 123-1First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | Canada | Beggars Banquet 838 123-1 / Vertigo 838 123-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Virgin 209 779-630 / Virgin 209 779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Beggars Banquet BEGA 98 / Virgin 209 779-630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Germany | Virgin 209 779LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Greece | Virgin VG 50426 / Beggars Banquet BEGA 98First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Ireland | Beggars Banquet BEGA 98First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Italy | Beggars Banquet BEGA 98First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Portugal | Virgin 605535 / Beggars Banquet 605535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | South Korea | Beggars Banquet BEGA 98LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1990 | South Korea | Beggars Banquet VKPL-0022 / Beggars Banquet BEGA 98LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1992 | Taiwan | Kong Mei Record Co., Ltd. KM - 45 / Sire KM - 45Unofficial Release, LP · Unofficial | Unofficial Release, LP · Unofficial |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Europe | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2151 LP / Beggars Arkive BBQ2151LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | UK & Europe | Beggars Banquet BBQ2151MXXLP, Album, White Label, LP, White Label, All Media, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, White Label, LP, White Label, All Media, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2019 | UK & Europe | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2151MXXBox Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, Cassette · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, Cassette · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | US | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2151 LP / Beggars Arkive BBQ2151LPLP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2019 | US | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2151MXXBox Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, Cassette · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl | Box Set, Limited Edition, Numbered, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Album, Cassette · Limited, Numbered, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | USA & Europe | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2151 LPELP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | USA & Europe | Beggars Banquet BBQ2151LPE / Beggars Banquet BBQ 2151 LPLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | USA & Europe | Beggars Banquet BBQ 2151 LPELP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | Virgin SLEM-1622LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
43 vinyl pressings of Sonic Temple are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1989 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK, US, Australia, Argentina and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEGA 98, released April 10, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEGA 98, 1-25871, BEGA 98X, 50001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEGA 98 - A2 (single seagull shape) TAPE 1 and BEGA 98 - B2 (single seagull shape) TAPE 1. 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.
