Vinyl pressings
by The Smiths · 1986
Ask 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.
30 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
ARE YOU LOATHESOME TONIGHT?Side A, hand-etched on every UK versions.
TOMB IT MAY CONCERNSide B, hand-etched on every UK versions.
RTT 194 A-1U-1-2-Side A, stamped [Variant 1]
RTT 194 B-1U-1-1-Side B, stamped [Variant 1]
ARE YOU LOATHESOME TONIGHT?Side A, hand-etched on every UK versions.
TOMB IT MAY CONCERNSide B, hand-etched on every UK versions.
⋀Side A, stamped
⋀Side B, stamped
ARE YOU LOATHESOME TONIGHT ? MPO RT 194 A1Runout side A
TOMB IT MAY CONCERN MPO RT 194 B1Runout side B
ARE YOU LOATHSOME TONIGHT ? RT 194 A-1U-1-1-1Run-out, side A
TOMB IT MAY CONCERN RTL 194 B-1U-1-1-10Run-out, side B
RT 194 A-1U-1-1-2 ARE YOU LOATHSOME TONIGHT ?Side A runout, variant 1
RT 194 B-1U-1-1-4 TOMB IT MAY CONCERNSide B runout, variant 1
RT 194 A-1U-1-1-x1 ARE YOU LOATHSOME TONIGHT ?Side A runout, variant 2
RT 194 B-1U-1-1-1 TOMB IT MAY CONCERNSide B runout, variant 2
RTT 194 A-1U-1-1-1 ARE YOU LOATHESOME TONIGHT?Side A runout
RTT 194 B-1U-1-1-1 TOMB IT MAY CONCERNSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Canada | Sire 92 05910First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Zensor 6.20676 / Zensor 6.20676 AEFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Germany | Zensor 6.14721 / TELDEC 6.14721First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Zensor 6.20676 / TELDEC 6.20676First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Germany | Zensor 16.20502 / TELDEC 6.20676-01First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM · Colored vinyl |
| 1986 | Germany | TELDEC 6.14721 / Zensor 6.147217", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Greece | Virgin VG 2076Z / Rough Trade RTT 194First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Rough Trade RTT 194First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Rough Trade RGH 10707First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | Rough Trade RGH 15272First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 125282 / Rough Trade RTT 194First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Rough Trade RT 194 / Megadisc MD 5282First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Netherlands | Megadisc MD 5282 / Rough Trade RT 194First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Transmedia T/12194First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | Rough Trade 41229 / Nuevos Medios 41229 MFirst year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | UK | WEA YZ 0004 / WEA 4509-99382-77", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of Ask are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1986 and 1995.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Ireland, Sweden and more. One of them is Rough Trade RTT 194, released October 20, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RTT 194, RT 194, 0-20591, 9 20591-0 A) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARE YOU LOATHESOME TONIGHT? and TOMB IT MAY CONCERN. 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.
