Vinyl pressings
by The Stranglers · 1990
96 Tears was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1990, 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.
TEARS 1 A1 TY1 Λ 7Side A runout, etched / stamped variant 1
TEARS 1 B1 TY1 Λ 7Side B runout, etched / stamped variant 1
TEARS 1 A1 TY1 Λ I CSide A runout, etched / stamped variant 2
TEARS 1 B1 TY1 Λ OSide B runout, etched / stamped variant 2
TEARST∙1 A1 TY1Runout side A, variant 1
TEARST∙1 B1 TY1Runout side B, variant 1
TEARST∙1 A1 TY1 Λ 5 1Runout side A, variant 2
TEARST∙1 B1 TY1 Λ 0 1Runout side B, variant 2
TEARS∙1 A-1 Λ TY1Runout Side A, variant 1
TEARS∙1 B1 Λ TY1Runout Side B, variant 1
TEARS∙1 A1 TY1 Λ 8 1Runout Side A, etched/stamped, variant 2
TEARS∙1 B1 TY1 Λ 3 1Runout Side B, etched/stamped, variant 2
MX253407 655656-7 MR 1A Side runout, etched
MX253408 655656-7 MR 2B Side runout, etched
MX253407A Side, label
MX253408B Side, label
MX253409 655656-6 MK 1Side A runout
MX253410 655656-6 MK 2Side B runout
MX253409Side A label
MX253410Side B label
01 655656 20 1A1 ASide A runout, stamped, last A etched
01 655656 20 1B1 ASide B runout, stamped, A etched
01-655656-20Sleeve
01-655656-20-1Side A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Epic 655656 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Europe | Epic 655656 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic EPC 655656 6 / Epic 655656 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic ARIE 2371First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic ARIE 2371First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | Spain | Epic ARIE 2371First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Epic TEARS 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | Epic TEARS T1First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Australia | Epic 655656 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Australia | Epic 655656 6First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | UK | Epic TEARS Q1 / Epic TEARS 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 4747Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 4747Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Russia | буд кон Д60 4747Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | Flexi-disc, 5½", 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
14 vinyl pressings of 96 Tears are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, Australia, Europe, Spain. One of them is Epic TEARS 1, released February 5, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TEARS 1, TEARS T1, TEARS Q1, 655656 7) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TEARS 1 A1 TY1 Λ 7 and TEARS 1 B1 TY1 Λ 7. 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.
