Vinyl pressings
by Van Halen · 1986
5150 was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 26 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.
1-25394-A-SR2 I-2 SM I-2 [SRC logo]Runout side A, variant 1
5150 1-25394-B-SR1 I-3 [SRC logo]Runout side B, variant 1
5150 I-1 1-25394-A-SR2 [SRC logo]Runout side A, variant 2
5150 I-15M1-2 1-25394-B-SR2 [SRC logo]Runout side B, variant 2
1-25384-A-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22999-SH1 ∆12031 1-2 5150Side A runout, variant 1
1-25394-B-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-23000-SH2 ∆12031-X 1-2 5150Side B runout, variant 1
1-25394-A-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22999-SH1 ∆12031 1-1 5150Side A runout, variant 2
1-25394-B-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22999-SH1 ∆12031-X 1-1 5150Side B runout, variant 2
P-13285-1 1-A-5 I 〄CS 6S4Side 1 runout, stamped
P-13285-2 1-A-4 ISide 2 runout, stamped
P-13285-1Side 1 label
P-13285-2Side 2 label
MX 211455 25394-1-1 "PLAY ME LOUD"Side A runout, hand-etched - variant 1
MX 211456 25394-1-2Side B runout, hand-etched - variant 1
[crossed out] MX211455 B [crossed out] 25394-1-1Side A runout, hand-etched - variant 2
MX211456 25394-1-2Side B runout, hand-etched - variant 2
RCA 610.7071-A ... 1S A4Runout, Side A, Stamped
RCA 610.7071-B ... 1S A2Runout, Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 25394.1 / Warner Bros. Records 25394-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 610.7071 / Warner Bros. Records 36.212First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 53941First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records W1 25394LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records 6102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records 6102First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records L.P.- 80081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records 32 416-0LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1986 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 925394-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 925394-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Guatemala | Warner Bros. Records 1-25394First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W5150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records W5150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92 5394-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records LWB-6481First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Argentina | Warner Records 075992539418LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2026 | USA & Canada | Warner Records 081227806064LP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| 2026 | Worldwide | Warner Records R2 728498 / Rhino Records 603497809264LP, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Remastered, CD, Album, Blu-ray, Limited Edition, Reissue, All Media, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited | LP, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Remastered, CD, Album, Blu-ray, Limited Edition, Reissue, All Media, Limited Edition, Special Edition · Limited |
| 2026 | Worldwide | Rhino Records R1 728499 / Warner Records 603497809288LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Bolivia | WEA 900 019LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 670.9352 / Warner Bros. Records 610.7071LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 610.7071 / Warner Bros. Records 36.212LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
51 vinyl pressings of 5150 are listed here, from 32 countries, released between 1986 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Japan, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 25394-1, released March 24, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 25394-1, P-13285, 83019, 25394.1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-25394-A-SR2 I-2 SM I-2 [SRC logo] and 5150 1-25394-B-SR1 I-3 [SRC logo]. 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.
