Vinyl pressings
by XTC · 1982
Ball And Chain was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
VS 482 12 A1 [TOWNHOUSE Λ]Side A Runout, Etched [Stamped], Variant 1
VS 482 12 B2 [TOWNHOUSE Λ]Side B Runout, Etched [Stamped], Variant 1
VS 482 12 A1 TOWNHOUSE Λ 4Side A runout etched/stamped - variant 2
VS 482 12 B1 D TOWNHOUSESide B runout etched/stamped - variant 2
VS-482-A2 13 TOWNHOUSERunout, side A, variant 1
VS-482-B1 3 TOWNHOUSE ∧Runout, side B, variant 1
VS-482-A1 TOWNHOUSE ΛRunout, side A, variant 2
VS-482-B2 TOWNHOUSE ΛRunout, side B, variant 2
VS482a TOWNHOUSESide A runout
VS482B TOWNHOUSESide B runout
VS 482 12 A1 TOWNHOUSE 2 ASide A runout
VS 482 12 B1 1 A TOWNHOUSESide B runout
A SIDE - VS482A12 CALLEY
B SIDE - VS482-12-B
Å MX201260 VS482-1Side A runout, stamped
Å MX201261 VS482-2Side B runout, stamped
MX201260Side A label
MX201261Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Virgin VS 482First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Australia | Virgin VS 482First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1144First year10", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 10", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1982 | Canada | Virgin VSX 1144First year10", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | 10", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1982 | Canada | Virgin VS 1144First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Europe | Virgin 104 160 / Virgin 104.160First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Sonopress 600556First year12", 45 RPM, EP, White Label, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, White Label, Stereo |
| 1982 | Ireland | Virgin VS 482First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | Virgin 600 556 / Virgin 600.556First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 482First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS 482-12First year12", EP, 45 RPM | 12", EP, 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS 482First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS 482First year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single, White Label |
| 1982 | UK | Virgin VS 482 12First year12", 45 RPM, EP, White Label | 12", 45 RPM, EP, White Label |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Virgin VS 482-12First year12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, EP, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Virgin VS 1144DJ7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
16 vinyl pressings of Ball And Chain are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Virgin VS 482-12.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VS 482-12, VS 482, VS 482 12, VSX 1144) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VS 482 12 A1 [TOWNHOUSE Λ] and VS 482 12 B2 [TOWNHOUSE Λ]. 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.
