Vinyl pressings
by Thomas Dolby · 1988
Airhead was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
12 MT 38 A-1U-1- DSide A runout, variant 1
12 MT 38 B-1U-1- DSide B runout, variant 1
12 MT 38 A-1U-1-1 DDSide A runout, variant 2
12 MT 38 B-3-1- DSide B runout, variant 2
MT 38 A-1U-1-1Side A runout, stamped
MT 38 B-1U-1-1Side B runout, stamped
MT 38ALabel side A
MT 38BLabel side B
[SRC logo] V-1-56086-Z1 Herbie Jr :^) B-31150-Z1 1 1-2 SP-AR △20503 D-Side 1, etched
[SRC logo] V-2-56086-Z1 Herbie Jr :^) 1-2 SP-AR B-31151-Z1 D- △20503-XSide 2, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | EMI-Manhattan Records MH.2082 / Manhattan Records MH 2082First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | Manhattan Records ED 343 / EMI Music Group Australasia ED 343First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia | Manhattan Records ED 343First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | Manhattan Records MH 2083First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Canada | EMI-Manhattan Records EI 75217First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Canada | EMI-Manhattan Records B-50125First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Germany | EMI-Manhattan Records 1C K 060-20 2506 6 / EMI-Manhattan Records 060 20 2506 6First year12", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI-Manhattan Records 14 2025066First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Italy | EMI-Manhattan Records 06 2025057First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Japan | EMI-Manhattan Records PRP-1273First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | South Africa | Not On Label PS 99First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | EMI-Manhattan Records 545 2025057 / Hispavox 545 2025057First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | EMI-Manhattan Records 12MT 38First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | EMI 12MTDJ 38First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | EMI-Manhattan Records MT 38First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Airhead are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Italy, South Africa and more. One of them is EMI-Manhattan Records 12MT 38.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12MT 38, MT 38, 12MTDJ 38, V-56104) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12 MT 38 A-1U-1- D and 12 MT 38 B-1U-1- D. 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.
