Vinyl pressings
by XTC · 1984
The Big Express was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 14 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 2325 A- 1U-1 - 1 THE BASTARD SON OF HARD BLUE RAY HEADSide A runout, variant 1
V 2325 B- 1U-1 - 1Side B runout, variant 1
V 2325 A-2U-1-1 - 1 THE BASTARD SON OF HARD BLUE RAY HEADSide A runout, variant 2
V 2325 B- 2U-1 - 1Side B runout, variant 2
the bastard son of hard blue rayheadSide A
V 2325 A-1U-1-1Side A - Stamped
V 2325 B-1U-1-1 XTSide B - Stamped
GHS-2-4054-A-SR-1 [SRC logo] [Artisan logo]A-side runout, variant 1
GHS-2-4054-B-SR-3 1-1 [Artisan logo] [SRC logo]B-side runout, variant 1
GHS-2-4054-A-SR-1 [SRC logo] [Artisan logo]A-side runout, variant 2
GHS-2-4054-B-SR-2 [Artisan logo] [SRC logo]B-side runout, variant 2
GHS-▓24054-A-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' stamp] B-20006-SH2-[Artisan stamp] SLM ∆7854 SLM 1-1Runout Side A, etched (except as noted) Variant 1
GHS-▓24054-B-SH2 [Artisan stamp] [Allied 'ɑ' stamp] B-20007-SH2 SLM ∆7854-x 1-1Runout Side B, etched (except as noted) Variant 1
GHS-▓24054-A-SH1 [Allied 'ɑ' stamp] B-20006-SH1-[Artisan stamp] SLM ∆7854 SLM 1-1Runout Side A, etched (except as noted) Variant 2
GHS-▓24054-B-SH2 [Artisan stamp] [Allied 'ɑ' stamp] B-20007-SH2 SLM ∆7854-x 1-1Runout Side B, etched (except as noted) Variant 2
SIDE A: V 2325 A- 1U-1 - 1Side A Machine Stamped
SIDE A: THE BASTARD SON OF HARD BLUE RAY HEAD CPD+Side A Etched
SIDE B: V 2325 B- 1U-1 -Side B Machine Stamped
CPSide B Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Virgin V 2325First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Canada | Virgin VL 2305 / Virgin VL2305First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 613 / Virgin 206 613-620First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | Virgin 206 613 / Virgin V2325First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 70279First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | Virgin 70279First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Virgin 206 613 / Virgin V2325First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Virgin VG 2325First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Italy | Virgin V2325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Virgin 28VB-1006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Virgin 28VB-1006First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2325First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | Virgin V 4636First yearLP | LP |
| 1984 | Spain | Virgin T 206613First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | Virgin OVED 181LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | UK | Ape House APELP107LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of The Big Express are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1984 and 2022.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is Virgin V2325, released October 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use V2325, V 2325, GHS 24054, VL 2305) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, V 2325 A- 1U-1 - 1 THE BASTARD SON OF HARD BLUE RAY HEAD and V 2325 B- 1U-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.
