Vinyl pressings
by Thompson Twins · 1983
We Are Detective was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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.
ARIST 526 A//1∇420 R 11 2 1 ARUNA-Side Runout, variant 1
ARIST 526 B//1∇420 R 13 1 5B-Side Runout, variant 1
ARIST 526 A//1∇420 R 11 1 ARUNA-side runout, variant 2
ARISTA 526 B//1∇420 R 11 2B-side runout, variant 2 [second 'A' in ARISTA x'ed out]
ARIST 12526 A//2∇420 R 11 21Runout side A, variant 1
ARIST 12526 B//1∇420 R 11 14Runout side B, variant 1
ARIST 12526 A//2∇420 R 11 4Runout side A, variant 2
ARIST 12526 B//1∇420 R 11 2Runout side B, variant 2
ARIST 526 A // 1 ▽ 420 R ARUNSide A runout
ARISTA̶ 526 B // 1 ▽ 420 RSide B runout
ARIST 526 A // 1 ▽ 420 R ARUNSide A runout
ARISTA̶ 526 B // 1 ▽ 420 RSide B runout
ARIDJ 526 A//1∇420 R 1 1 2 ARUNA-Side Runout [machine stamped, "ARUN" hand-etched]
ARIST 526 B//1∇420 R 1 1 2B-Side Runout [machine stamped]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Arista K-9121 / Arista ARIST 526First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | France | Arista 105 479First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Arista K 9121First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Peru | Arista 3035First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Arista ARI 8326First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Spain | Arista B-105.578First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | Spain | Arista B - 105.578First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Ireland | Arista ARIST 526 / Arista ARIST526First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Arista ARIST 526First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista ARIST 12 526 / Arista ARIST 12526First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista ARIST 12526 / Arista ARIST 12 526First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | UK | Arista ARIST 526 / Arista ARIDJ 526First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Arista ARIST 526First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Arista ARIST 526First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Arista K-91217", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of We Are Detective are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Ireland, Australia, France and more. One of them is Arista ARIST 526, released April 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ARIST 526, ARIST 12 526, ARIST 12526, K-9121) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ARIST 526 A//1∇420 R 11 2 1 ARUN and ARIST 526 B//1∇420 R 13 1 5. 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.
