Vinyl pressings
by Yes · 1987
Big Generator 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.
28 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 22 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.
ST-C-876505 DMM SPI-8 Precision SP-caN Dm-4Runout side A, variant 1
ST-C-876506 A1 DMM 3-3 SP-CAN Precision Dm-3Runout side B, variant 1
ST-C-876505-A-1 DMM 2-1 SP-CAN Precision DMRunout side A, variant 2
ST-C-876506-A-1-DMM 3-3 SP-CAN Precision DMRunout side B, variant 2
ST-C-876505-A DMM SP1-4 PrecisionSide A runout etched, variant 1
ST-C-876506-A DMM 3-7 PrecisionSide B runout etched, variant 1
ST-C-876505-A DMM SP 1-3 PrecisionSide A runout etched, variant 2
ST-C-876506-A DMM 3-8 PrecisionSide B runout etched, variant 2
ST-C-876505-A DMM SP 1-5 SPAR Precision B-28878-A DMM △17980 0-Side 1 runout, variant 1
ST-C-876506-A DMM 3-6 SPAR Precision 0- △17980 -X B-28879 A-DMMSide 2 runout, variant 1
ST-C-876505-A DMM SP 1-5 SPAR Precision B-28878-A-DMM △17980 0-Side 1 runout, variant 2
ST-C-876506-A DMM SP 4-9 SPAR Precision 0- △17980 -X B-28879 A-DMMSide 2 runout, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 790522-1-A2 ST-C 876506-A DMM SP1-7 SP-GER PrecisionRunout A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 790522-1-B2 ST-C 876506 A-DMM SP 4-6 SP-GER PrecisionRunout B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 790522-1-Aхх ST-C-876505-A DMM SP1-6 SP-GER Precision 7 DLRunout A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 790522-1-B 29 ST-C-876506-A DMM SP 4-7 SPGER PrecisionRunout B, variant 2
ST-C-876505 A DMM 3-2 SP - ARG PrecisionSide A runout, etched
ST-C-876506 A DMM 3-2 SP - ARG PrecisionSide B runout, etched
ST-C-876505 80676 ALabel A
ST-C-876506 80676 BLabel 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 | Argentina | WEA 80676 / ATCO Records 80676First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia & New Zealand | ATCO Records 90522-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Bolivia | WEA WL - 1.021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | ATCO Records 670.4034First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | ATCO Records 79 05221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | ATCO Records A1 90522LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Colombia | Atlantic 23(7031)00029 / Atlantic 90522-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ecuador | Atlantic LP-73067 / Atlantic 90522-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Europe | ATCO Records 790 522-1 / ATCO Records WX 70First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Germany | ATCO Records 15 064 9First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | Greece | ATCO Records 790 522-1 / ATCO Records WX 70First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Ireland | ATCO Records WX 70First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Israel | ATCO Records BAN 790522-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | ATCO Records 90522-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Italy | ATCO Records 90522-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | Friday Music FRM-90522LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | ATCO Records RCV1 90522 / ATCO Records 081227809539LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | US | ATCO Records RCV1 90522 / ATCO Records 081227809539LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Not On Label (Yes)LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
39 vinyl pressings of Big Generator are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1987 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in Canada, US, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is ATCO Records 79 05221.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 79 05221, 7 90522-1, 790 522-1, P-13429) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-C-876505 DMM SPI-8 Precision SP-caN Dm-4 and ST-C-876506 A1 DMM 3-3 SP-CAN Precision Dm-3. 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.
