Vinyl pressings
by The Kinks · 1986
How Are You was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 8 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.
LON 119 A // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1 1Stamped runout side A
LON 119 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 2Stamped runout side B
ZPMSC 11074Label side A
ZPMSC 11075Label side B
LONX 119 xxxxx A // 1 ▽420 R 1 1 2Runout side A, stamped
LONX 119 B // 1▽420 R 1 1 2Runout side B, stamped
LONFL 119 A/1∇420 RSide A
LONFL 119 B/1∇420 RSide B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | London Records 886 099-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | France | London Records 886 099-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | London Records 886 099-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | Germany | Metronome 886 099-7 / London Records 886 099-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | London Records 886 099-1 / Metronome 886 099-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Japan | London Records L13P 7121First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | London Records 886 099-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Netherlands | London Records 886 099-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1986 | Spain | London Records 886 099-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | London Records LONX 119First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | London Records LONFL 119First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-53093First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-53093First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | London Records LON 119First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | London Records LONX 119First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
24 vinyl pressings of How Are You are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australasia, France and more. One of them is London Records LON 119, released December 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LON 119, LONX 119, LONFL 119, MCA-53093) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LON 119 A // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1 1 and LON 119 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 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.
