Vinyl pressings
by Tina Turner · 1985
Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 22 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.
SWAV-1-12429-Z4 #2 Precision SM OSide A runout, variant 1
SWAV-2-12429-Z10 #2 Precision SM OSide B runout, variant 1
SWAV-1-12429-Z5 #1 Precision SM OSide A runout, variant 2
SWAV-2-12429-Z8 #4 Precision SM OSide B runout, variant 2
EJ 2403801 A-1-1-1-1Side A runout
EJ 2403801 B-1-1-1-1Side B runout
SMX65507 P2BSide A runout, hand-etched
SMX65508 P2A 2Side B runout, hand-etched
MX-65507Side A label
MX-65508Side B label
31C 064 240380 APrinted on A Side Label
31C 064 240380 BPrinted on B Side Label
240380 1 01 ℗1985 200Run Out Groove A
240380 2 01 ℗1985 200Run Out Groove B
SWAV-12429-1 1A2HZ DM 8Runout side A
SWAV-12429-2 1A2HZ DM 11Runout side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | Capitol Records 8335 / EMI 81 2403801First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 064 240380 / EMI 31C 064 240380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Capitol Records SWAV-12429First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | Capitol Records SWAV-512429 / Capitol Records SWAV 512429LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Colombia | Capitol Records 111009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Colombia | Capitol Records 111019First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1985 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0380 1 / Capitol Records 064-24 0380 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0380 1 / Capitol Records 064-24 0380 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0380 1 / Capitol Records 064-24 0380 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | Capitol Records 1A 064-24 0380 1 / Capitol Records 064-24 0380 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Capitol Records 240 380 1First yearLP | LP |
| 1985 | France | Capitol Records 2403801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | France | Capitol Records 2403801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | Capitol Records 43 417 5LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Greece | Capitol Records 064-2403801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light ST. 23 / High Stereo Light ST O. 23LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
35 vinyl pressings of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome are listed here, from 23 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Argentina and more. One of them is Capitol Records SWAV-12429.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SWAV-12429, EJ 24 0380 1, RML 53173, 8335) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SWAV-1-12429-Z4 #2 Precision SM O and SWAV-2-12429-Z10 #2 Precision SM O. 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.
