Vinyl pressings
by UB40 · 1981
Present Arms In Dub was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
[lyre symbol] LP DEP 2 / 1 - 1 UP YOUR PIPE MAGGIE SWRunout, A-side, etched
[lyre symbol] LP DEP 2 / 2 - 1 BRIXTON CHANTRunout, B-side, etched
LPDEP 2 A - 3U - 1 - 1 - 1A side runout
LPDEP 2 B - 1U - 1 - 2 - 1B side runout
R 01.85390.1A.1Runout side A, variant 1
R 01.85390.1B.1Runout side B, variant 1
R 01-85390-1A-1 ARunout side A, variant 2
R 01-85390-1B-1 ARunout side B, variant 2
♀ MX200518 ELPS4266-1Side A runout - stamped [♀ - etched]
♀ MX200519 ELPS4266-2Side B runout - stamped [♀ - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4266First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4266First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 85390 / DEP International LSP DEP 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 85390First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | Epic EPC 85390First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Italy | Epic EPC 85390 / DEP International EPC 85390First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | DEP International LP DEP 2First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International LPS DEP 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International LP DEP 2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International LP DEP 2First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | UK | DEP International LP DEP 2First yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 85390 / DEP International LPS DEP 2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Present Arms In Dub are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Europe, Australia, Greece and more. One of them is DEP International LPS DEP 2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LPS DEP 2, LP DEP 2, EPC 85390, ELPS 4266) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [lyre symbol] LP DEP 2 / 1 - 1 UP YOUR PIPE MAGGIE SW and [lyre symbol] LP DEP 2 / 2 - 1 BRIXTON CHANT. 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.
