Vinyl pressings
by Thomas Dolby · 1984
Dissidents 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.
15 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 7 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.
TOWNHOUSE 12 R606̶71A-1U-1-1-1Runout side A, variant 1
TOWNHOUSE 12 R606̶71B-1U-1-1-1Runout side B, variant 1
TOWNHOUSE 12 R606̶71A-1U-1-1-5Runout side A, variant 2
TOWNHOUSE 12 R606̶71B-1U-1-1-12Runout side B, variant 2
R 6071 A-4U-1-1-1 TOWNHOUSESide A runout
R 6071 B-2U-1-1-X1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout
V8594-X600718-C-Z2 -------◄ Herbie Jr (smiley face) MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKSide A All etched except Mastered By...
V8594-X600718-B-Z1 -------◄ Herbie Jr (smiley face) FK MASTERED BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE NEW YORKSide B All etched except Mastered By...
V-8594Side A label
V-8954Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records B-5374First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | Canada | Capitol Records V 75061First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Europe | Parlophone 1A 006-2002277First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | Parlophone 1A K062-2002236First year12" | 12" |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI EMIJ 4493First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | South Africa | EMI 12 EMIL(C) 4493First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI 052-2002236 / EMI 052-20 0223-6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1984 | Spain | EMI P-44 / EMI P044First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Parlophone 12 R6071 / Parlophone 12 R 6071First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | UK | Parlophone Odeon Series R 6071 / EMI R 6071First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records SPRO-9168/9178First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records V-8594First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records B-5374First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | US | Capitol Records P-B-5374First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | UK | Parlophone 12 R6071First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
15 vinyl pressings of Dissidents are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Parlophone 12 R6071.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12 R6071, R 6071, V-8594, B-5374) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, TOWNHOUSE 12 R606̶71A-1U-1-1-1 and TOWNHOUSE 12 R606̶71B-1U-1-1-1. 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.
