Vinyl pressings
by The Darling Buds · 1988
Hit The Ground was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 2 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.
BLOND-2 - A - 1 TY1 BRunout etched side A [Variant 1]
BLOND 2 B 1 TY1 BRunout etched side B [Variant 1]
BLOND-2-A-1 TY1 1 ΛRunout etched/stamped side A [Variant 2]
BLOND 2 B 1 TY1 ∴ DRunout etched/stamped side [Variant 2]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Spain | Epic EPC 654529 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | Epic BLOND 2 / Native Records BLOND 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic EPC 654529 6Maxi-Single, 12" | Maxi-Single, 12" |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic BLOND X2 / Native Records BLOND X210", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered | 10", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Stereo · Limited, Numbered |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic EPC 654529 7 / Epic 654529 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic EPC 654529-77", Single | 7", Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic EPC 654529 612", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Epic BLOND Q2 / Epic BLOND 27", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | Epic BLOND T212", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | Epic BLOND T212", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Epic 654529 77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Epic 654529 612", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Hit The Ground are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Spain. One of them is Epic BLOND 2, released December 19, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BLOND 2, EPC 654529 7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BLOND-2 - A - 1 TY1 B and BLOND 2 B 1 TY1 B. 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.
