Vinyl pressings
by Was (Not Was) · 1983
Born To Laugh At Tornadoes was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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.
GHS-1-4016-SH2 0 B-18447-SH2 SLM 5075 1-1Side 1 / Hand etched
GHS-2-4016-SH1 0 B-18448-SH1 SLM 5075-X 1-1Side 2 / Hand etched
GHS-1-4016-WW7 double circle symbol with triangle and ----<Side 1 Variant 1 etched
GHS-2-4016-SHI # 2 double circle symbol with triangle O B-18448-SHI SLM triangle 5075-X 1-3 ----<Side 2 Variant 1 etched
GHS-1-4016-JW1 #1 [Artisan logo]Side A runout, variant 1
GHS-1-4016-JW4 [Artisan logo]Side B runout, variant 1
GHS-1-4016-JW3 [Artisan logo]Side A runout, variant 2
GHS-2-4016-JW4 #2 [Artisan logo]Side B runout, variant 2
GHS-1-4016-SH2 [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] [Allied Record Company logo] B-18447-SH2 SLM △5075 1̶-̶2̶ SP 0-1Side A runout
GHS-2-4016-SH2 [Artisan Sound Recorders logo] [Allied Record Company logo] B-18448-SH2 SLM △5075-X SP 0-1 1̶-̶3̶Side B runout
GHS-1-4016-WW7 [Artisan logo] ─◁Side A runout
GHS-2-4016-WW4 [Artisan logo] ─◁Side B runout
GEF-25592 A2 ∴Side A runout, etched
GEF 25592 B1 ∴Side B runout, etched
Å MX203249 GHS4016-1Side A runout
Å MX203250 GHS4016-2Side B runout
MX203249Side A label
MX203250Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Geffen Records GHS 4016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 4016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25592 / Ze Records GEF 25592First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25592 / Geffen Records 25592First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25592 / Ze Records GEF 25592First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | Geffen Records GEF 25592 / ZE Records GEF 25592First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Geffen Records 25AP 2701First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Geffen Records 25AP 2701First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | South Africa | Geffen Records DNW 2922First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records GHS 4016 / Ze Records 76468-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records GHS 4016 / ZE Records GHS 4016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records GHS 4016 / ZE Records GHS 4016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Geffen Records GHS 4016 / ZE Records GHS 4016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Geffen Records GEF 25592 / Ze Records GEF 25592First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Born To Laugh At Tornadoes are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 4016.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 4016, GEF 25592, XGHS 4016, 25AP 2701) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GHS-1-4016-SH2 0 B-18447-SH2 SLM 5075 1-1 and GHS-2-4016-SH1 0 B-18448-SH1 SLM 5075-X 1-1. 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.
