Vinyl pressings
by The The · 1989
The Beat(en) Generation was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 6 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.
01 654578 00 1A1 ARunout side A, stamped, last "A" etched
01 654578 00 1B1 ARunout side B, stamped, last "A" etched
01-654578-00-1Label side A
01-654578-00-2Label side B
01 654578 20 2A1 ARunout side A, stamped; "A" etched
01 654578 20 1B1 ARunout side B, stamped; "A" etched
01-654578-20-1Label side A
01-654578-20-2Label side B
A side: EMUB 8 A1Etched
A side: EMUB 8 B1Etched
EMU.8 A1 TY ΛRunout side A, etched [TY Λ stamped], variant 1
EMU.8 B1 TY ΛRunout side B, etched [TY Λ stamped], variant 1
EMU.8 A1 5 TY1 ORunout side A, etched [5 TY1 O stamped], variant 2
EMU.8 B1 TY1 3 ΛRunout side B, etched [TY1 3 Λ stamped], variant 2
EMUB . 8 A1 .1 ERunout A
EMUB . 8 B1 .1 ERunout B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | Epic 654578 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australia | Epic 654578 6First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic EPC 654578 6First yearBox Set, Limited Edition, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Limited | Box Set, Limited Edition, 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single · Limited |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic EPC 654578 6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1989 | Ireland | Epic EMU 8First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic EPC 654578 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic EPC 654578 7First year7", Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | Epic EPC 654578 6 / EPIC 654578 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | UK | Epic EMU B8 / Epic EMUB8First yearBox Set, Limited Edition, 12", 45 RPM, Single · Limited | Box Set, Limited Edition, 12", 45 RPM, Single · Limited |
| 1989 | UK | Epic EMU B 8First year12", Promo, Single Sided · Promo | 12", Promo, Single Sided · Promo |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic 654578 7 / Epic EPC 654578 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Epic EMU8 / Epic EMU 8First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Epic EMUQ8 / Epic EMU Q8First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Single · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Single · Limited |
| 1989 | UK | Epic EMU 8First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Epic EPC 654578 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
18 vinyl pressings of The Beat(en) Generation are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in Europe, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Epic 654578 7, released March 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 654578 7, EPC 654578 6, EMU8, EMUQ8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01 654578 00 1A1 A and 01 654578 00 1B1 A. 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.
