Vinyl pressings
by The Smithereens · 1986
Behind The Wall Of Sleep 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.
7 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 5 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.
G-1 Ꝗ R-16866 G1 ∆ 14792 1-2 RW 0-1Side A runout, variant 1
G-1 R-16867-G1 14792-XSide B runout, variant 1
B-2-75002-RO G-1 R-16867-G1 △ 14792-X MASTERED BY CAPITOL ES 1-1Side A runout, variant 2
B-1-75002-RW G-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-16866-G1 △ 14792 1-1 ESSide B runout, variant 2
B-2-75002-RO G-1 R-16867-G1 Δ 14792-X - [1-2 (scratched)] [AL-SP (hairline)]A runout
B-1-75002-RW G-1 Ꝗ R-16866-G1 Δ 14792 1-2 [SP — O-1 AL-SP (hairline)]B runout
75002-ROA label
75002-RWB label
B-75002-2 1A 2Z DM C2A side runout - etched, backwards C, 2 stamped
B-75002-1 1A 2G DM C2B side runout - etched, bacwards C, 2 stamped
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 | Australia | Enigma BTS-4First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Enigma B-75002First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Enigma INT 128.721First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Enigma 5002-7 / Enigma Europe Enigma 5002-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Enigma EPRO-14First year12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Enigma B-75002First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Enigma B-75002First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Enigma ENIG 27", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Enigma ENIG 2T12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Enigma ENIG 2T12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1987 | Germany | Enigma INT 113.721 / Enigma Europe INT 113.7217", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Behind The Wall Of Sleep are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Enigma B-75002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use B-75002, EPRO-14, BTS-4, INT 128.721) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G-1 Ꝗ R-16866 G1 ∆ 14792 1-2 RW 0-1 and G-1 R-16867-G1 14792-X. 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.
