Vinyl pressings
by Wendy & Lisa · 1987
Waterfall was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, 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.
VS 99912 A B̶ -1U-1-2- 10 D TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side A
VS 99912 B-1U-1-1- 8 DD TOWNHOUSE DMMRunout side B
VS 999 12 aSide A label
VS 999 12 bSide B label
VS 999 A-1U-1-3⇀ 5 DRunout A, stamped
DD VS 999 B-1U-1-1- 0Runout B, stamped
VS 999 aLabel A
VS 999 bLabel B
ZSS - 176118-1 B GI MASTERDISKA Side Runout
ZSS - 176119 - 1A MASTERDISK GIB Side Runout
ZSS 176118A Side Label
ZSS 176119B Side Label
XSS-176121-1A Masterdisk G1 A2Side A, Variant 1
XSS-176122-1A G1 B2 MASTERDISKSide A, Variant 2
XSS-176121-1B G1 A3 MASTERDISKSide B, Variant 2
ZSS-176118•1A D G1 A2 MASTERDISKSide A
ZSS-176118•1B D G1 A3 MASTERDISKSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Columbia 38 07243First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 609 348-213 / Virgin 609 348First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Virgin 109 348-100 / Virgin 109 348First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 009996First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | France | Virgin 009997First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | Virgin VG 2095-Z / Virgin VG 2095ZFirst year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin VINX 196First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Italy | Virgin VIN 45239First year7" | 7" |
| 1987 | Portugal | Virgin 505501First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | South Africa | CBS SSC 6056First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin VS 999 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1987 | US | Columbia 38-07243First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1987 | US | Columbia CAS 2743 / Columbia XSS 176122First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1987 | US | Columbia 38-07243First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Virgin VS 999 12First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
20 vinyl pressings of Waterfall are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in UK, US, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Virgin VS 999 12, released August 10, 1987.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 999 12, VS 999, 38-07243, CAS 2743) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 99912 A B̶ -1U-1-2- 10 D TOWNHOUSE DMM and VS 99912 B-1U-1-1- 8 DD TOWNHOUSE DMM. 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.
