Vinyl pressings
by The Stranglers · 1984
Skin Deep was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
TA 4738-A1 TimTom:cbs ⋀Variant 1 Runout Side A, etched with '⋀' stamp
TA-4738-B1 ⋀Variant 1 Runout Side B, etched with '⋀' stamp
TA-4738-A1 1 :1 TimTom :-!. ⋀Variant 2 Runout Side A, etched with '⋀' stamp
TA-4738-B1 TX ⋀Variant 2 Runout Side B, etched with '⋀' stamp
TA-4738-A1 1 2 TimTom ;-.' ⋀Side A runout, etched ("1, 2, ⋀" stamped)
TA-4738-B1 0 TY ⋀Side B runout, etched ("⋀" stamped)
A 4738 A1 timtom : cbs ΛSide A runout
A 4738 B1 TY ΛSide B runout
A 4738 A1 V TIMTOM:CBSSide A runout, etched, var 1 ("V" stamped)
A 4738 B1 V TYSide B runout, etched, var 1 ("V" stamped)
A 4738 A1 TIMTOM:cbs DSide A runout, etched, var 2 ("D" stamped)
A 4738 B1 TY OSide B runout, etched, var 2 ("O" stamped)
A 4738 A1 timtom : cbs ΛSide A runout
A 4738 B1 TY ΛSide B runout
A4738 A1 timtom:cbsRunout Side A [etched]
A4738 B1 TYRunout Side B [etched]
A4738 A1 D timtom:cbsRunout Side A [etched], ("D" stamped), Variant 2
A4738 B1 C TYRunout Side B [etched], ("C" stamped), Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12125First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 12125First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1006First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ES 1006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPCA 4738 / Epic A 4738First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Ireland | Epic EPC A 4738First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Epic EPCA 12.4738First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Epic ES 1006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Portugal | Epic EPCA 4738First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Epic EPC A 12.4738First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Epic EPC A-4738 / Epic EPC A 4738First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Spain | Epic EPC A-4738First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Epic A 4738First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1984 | UK | Epic A 4738First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
22 vinyl pressings of Skin Deep are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK & Europe, UK, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Epic TA 4738, released September 25, 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use TA 4738, A 4738, ES 1006, ES 12125) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TA 4738-A1 TimTom:cbs ⋀ and TA-4738-B1 ⋀. 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.
