Vinyl pressings
by Van Halen · 1982
Pretty Woman was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
40 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-RE1-S-SRC SP 1-3Runout side A, Variant 1
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-RE1-S SR1 1-1 Jm SRCRunout side B, Variant 1
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-RE1-S-SR2 SP 1-1Runout side A, Variant 2
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-RE1-S SR1 1-1 Jm SRCRunout side B, Variant 2
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-S-RE1 WW1#2 ─◁Runout Side A, etched, variant 1
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-S-RE1 WW#4 ─◁Runout Side B, etched, variant 1
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-S-RE1 WW1#2 ─◁Runout Side A, etched, variant 2
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-S-RE1 WW1#4 ─◁Runout Side B, etched, variant 2
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-S-RE1 WW1 ─◁Runout side A, etched, variant 1
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-S-RE1 WW1 #2 ─◁Runout side B, etched, variant 1
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-S-RE1 WW1#2 ─◁Runout side A, etched, variant 2
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-S-RE1 WW1#2 ─◁Runout side B, etched, variant 2
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-RE1-S-SRC SP 1-2Runout side A
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-RE1-S SR1 1-1 Jm SRCRunout side B
ZCA 1509SLabel side A
ZCA 1510SLabel side B
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-S-RE1 LW1 ✲Runout side A, variant 1
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-S-RE1 LW1 ✲Runout side B, variant 1
WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-S-RE1 LW1 ✲Runout side A, variant 2
WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-S-RE1 LW1 2 ✲Runout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 50003First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.222First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS50003First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS50003First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Chile | Warner Bros. Records 50003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ecuador | Warner Bros. Records 45-80068First year7" | 7" |
| 1982 | France | Warner Bros. Records PRO 555First year12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1982 | France | Warner Bros. Records 17 909First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Warner Bros. Records 17 9097", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 909 / Warner Bros. Records WB 17909First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 909 / Warner Bros. Records WB 17909First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Guatemala | Warner Bros. Records WBS50003First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 17909First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1618First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records SWB 047First year7" | 7" |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Benelux | Warner Bros. Records WB 17.9097", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
42 vinyl pressings of Pretty Woman are listed here, from 22 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Benelux and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS50003.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS50003, PRO-A-1006, K 17909, WBS 50003) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-50003 ZCA-1509-RE1-S-SRC SP 1-3 and WBS-50003 ZCA-1510-RE1-S SR1 1-1 Jm SRC. 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.
