Vinyl pressings
by The Jesus And Mary Chain · 1989
Automatic 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.
12 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 12 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.
R/S Alsdorf 229 246220-1-A4 229 246282-1-A4Side A [Stamped] Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 229 246220-1-B3 229 ̶2̶4̶6̶2̶2̶2̶0̶ ̶1̶ 246282-1-B3Side B [Stamped] Variant 1
1Side B [Etched] Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 246220-1-BSide B (Variant 2) [Stamped]
1-26015-A-SR1 DMM SP1-1Side A runout, etched
1-26015-B-SR1 DMM SP1-1 K-DISCSide B runout, etched
R/S Alsdorf 229 246220-1-A4 229 246282-1-A4 7Runout side A, variant 1
246282-1-B2 = R/S Alsdorf 246220-1-B2 THE DARK SIDE OF GOD TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 229 246220-1-A3 229 246282-1-A3Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
15Runout side B, etched, variant 2
MX304265 246220-1 µF . . 1Side A Runouts, Engraved
MX304266 246220-1 µF . 2Side B Runouts, Engraved
MX304265Side A Label
MX304266Side B Label
BMG 670.9078 1LA2A-side runout
BMG 670.9078 1LD2B-side 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 | WEA 80.226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Australia & New Zealand | Blanco Y Negro 246220.1 / Blanco Y Negro 246220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Brazil | WEA 670.9078 / WEA 00798First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Canada | Blanco Y Negro 24 62201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Greece | Blanco Y Negro 246220-1 / Blanco Y Negro 2292-46220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37414 / Blanco Y Negro SLPXL 37414First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Mexico | WEA LPNI-7007 / Blanco Y Negro 246220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 26015-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-26015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | US | Warner Bros. Records 1-26015LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1989 | Uruguay | WEA 80.226First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Yugoslavia | Jugoton LP-7-1-F 2 02314 1 / Blanco Y Negro 246 220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Europe | Blanco Y Negro 246 282-1 / Blanco Y Negro BYN 20WFirst yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1989 | UK & Europe | Blanco Y Negro 246 220-1 / Blanco Y Negro 2292-46220-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Plain Recordings PLAIN167LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2013 | UK | Demon Records DEMRECAUTO1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | US | Plain Recordings PLAIN167LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
16 vinyl pressings of Automatic are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1989 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK & Europe, US, Europe, Argentina and more. One of them is Blanco Y Negro 246 220-1, released October 9, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 246 220-1, 9 26015-1, 246 282-1, 80.226) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 229 246220-1-A4 229 246282-1-A4 and R/S Alsdorf 229 246220-1-B3 229 ̶2̶4̶6̶2̶2̶2̶0̶ ̶1̶ 246282-1-B3. 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.
