Vinyl pressings
by The Marvelettes 路 1965
Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead was first pressed on vinyl in 1965. 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 1965, the album's first year, in 4 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.
PY-I-L-141314 S4KM-7771-1F AA-side runout
AY-QI-144308 S4KM-7789-1 CB-side runout
DM PY-I-L-141314 S4KM 7771A-side label
DM AY-QI-144308 S4KM 7789B-side label
DM PY-I-L-141314A-Side label.
DM AY-QI-144308B-Side label.
PY-I-L-141314 (MR) 螖57888 S4KM-7771-1 DA-side runout
AY-QI-144308 (MR) 螖57889 S4KM-7789-1 DB-side runout
DM PY-I-L-141314A-side label
DM AY-QI-144308B-side label
PY-I-L-141314 S4KM-7771-1 IA-side runout
AY-QI-144308 S4KM-7789-1 IB-side runout
DM PY-I-L-141314 S4KM-7771A-side label
DM AY-QI-144308 S4KM-7789B-side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono 路 Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Mono 路 Promo, Mono |
| 1965 | US | Tamla Tamla 54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo 路 Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo 路 Promo |
| 1965 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo 路 Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo 路 Promo |
| 1965 | US | Tamla Tamla 54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo 路 Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo 路 Promo |
| 1965 | Canada | Tamla Motown T-54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tamla Tamla 54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tamla T-54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tamla T 54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tamla Tamla 54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | US | Tamla TAMLA 54120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown GO 42.620First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1965 | UK | Tamla Motown TMG 535First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown M 541207", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1965, in US, UK, Canada, Netherlands. One of them is Tamla Tamla 54120, released July 23, 1965.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use Tamla 54120, T-54120, T 54120, TAMLA 54120) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PY-I-L-141314 S4KM-7771-1F A and AY-QI-144308 S4KM-7789-1 C. 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.
