Vinyl pressings
by Wax · 1985
Ball And Chain was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
PB 40385 A1 ARUN I LOVE THE MOONRunout etched side A
PB 40385 B1 BUT I DON'T LOVE THE SKYRunout etched side B
PB 40385 A*Side A label
PB 40385 B*Side B label
DM DS B-3546 A-2/85SRunout (Stamped) Side A
DM B-3546 B-1/85 S IIRunout (Stamped) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | RCA Victor TDS 302 (PT 40386)First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA 104481First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Germany | RCA PT40386First year12" | 12" |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PT 40386First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | RCA PT 40386First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-40386First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA PT-40386First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-40385First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | RCA PT 40386First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | UK & Europe | RCA PT 40386First year12", 45 RPM, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1985 | US | RCA Victor PW-14383First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1985 | US | RCA JD-14383First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1985 | US | RCA Victor PW-14383First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | RCA JR-14382First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA PB 40385First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Ball And Chain are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is RCA PB 40385, released October 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB 40385, PW-14383, JD-14383, JR-14382) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB 40385 A1 ARUN I LOVE THE MOON and PB 40385 B1 BUT I DON'T LOVE THE SKY. 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.
