Vinyl pressings
by Van Halen · 1978
Runnin' With The Devil was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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 8556 VCA 7326S JW-1 #1 ()Variation 1 Runout A, etched [stamped: ()]
WBS 8556 VCA 7642S JW-1 #2 ()Variation 1 Runout B, etched [stamped: ()]
WBS 8556 VCA 7326S JW-1 #3 ()Variation 2 Runout A, etched [stamped: ()]
WBS 8556 VCA 7642S JW-1 #1 ()Variation 2 Runout B, etched [stamped: ()]
WBS 8556 VCA 76425 WW-1 #2Variant 1 Winchester symbol pressing
WBS 8556 VCA 7326s WW-1Variant 2 Side A Winchester Symbol Pressing
WBS 8556 VCA 7326S LW-1 . . *Runout A
WBS 8556 VCA 7642S LW1 . . *Runout B
(VCA 7326)Slabel A
(VCA 7642)Slabel B
WBS 8556 VCA 7326 DJ LW•1 ✲Side A runout
WBS 8556 VCA 7326 S LW-1 ✲Side B runout
VCA 7326Side A label
VCA 7326SSide B label
K-17162 A4 Λ 6Runout side A
K-17162 B-1 Λ 1 6Runout side B
K 17162 A*Label side A
K 17162 B*Label side B
WEA WSB 8556-A PFRunout side A
WEA WSB 8556-B PF 17162-BRunout side B
WSB 8556-ALabel side A
WSB 8556-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 17.162First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 171627", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1978 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17162First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS8556First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 162First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Runnin' With The Devil are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Germany, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 8556.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 8556, WBS8556, K 17162, WB 17 162) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS 8556 VCA 7326S JW-1 #1 () and WBS 8556 VCA 7642S JW-1 #2 (). 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.
