Vinyl pressings
by Various Artists · 1986
Absolute Beginners - The Musical 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.
22 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 17 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.
V 2386 A-4U-1-1-X1Side A Runout, stamped Variant 1
V 2386B-1U-1-1-X1Side B Runout, stamped Variant 1
V 2386 A-3U-1-2Side A Runout, stamped Variant 2
V 2386 B-2U-1-1-X1Side B Runout, stamped Variant 2
AL-SP SV-1-17182 Z-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22872-Z2 △11858 ERunout side A, variant 1
AL-SP SV-2-17182 ZQ [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22873-Z1 △11858-X ERunout side B, variant 1
SV-1-17182 Z-2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22872-Z2 △11858 1-1Runout side A, variant 2
SV-2-17182 Z-1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-22873-Z1 △11858-X 1-2Runout side B, variant 2
V2386A 1S 2 6-4Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
V2386B 1S 1 2Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
V2386A 1S 1 3 B-4Side A runout, stamped, variant 2
V2386B 1S 3Side B runout, stamped, variant 2
RCA 104.8367-A 1S A2Runout side A
RCA 104.8367-B 1S A2Runout side B
104.8367-ALabel side A
104.8367-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin V2386First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | Virgin V2386First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Brazil | Virgin 104 8367 / Virgin 104.8367First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America SV-17182First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | EMI America SV-517182LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 207 654 / Virgin 207 654-630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Virgin 207 588-630 / Virgin 207 588First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | France | Virgin 123 861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | France | Virgin 123 861First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Virgin VG 50172 / Virgin 062-VG 50172First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Virgin V 2386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | Virgin V 2386First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | Virgin V 2386First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Japan | Virgin 28VB-1080 / Toshiba EMI 28VB-1080First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Virgin V2386First yearLP | LP |
25 vinyl pressings of Absolute Beginners - The Musical are listed here, from 17 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Virgin V 2386.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V 2386, SV-17182, 28VB-1080, V2386) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2386 A-4U-1-1-X1 and V 2386B-1U-1-1-X1. 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.
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