Vinyl pressings
by Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction · 1988
Tattooed Beat Messiah was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 10 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.
✳ ZODLP-1 A-1 ✳ MT. JA 1 1Side A runout etched, variant 1
✳ ZODLP-1 B-2 ✳ MT. JA 1 1Side B runout etched, variant 1
✳ ZODLP-1 A-2 ✳ 1 1Side A runout etched, variant 2
✳ ZODLP-1 B-2 ✳ 1 1Side B runout etched, variant 2
422⸱832⸱729-1-AS-SP MASTERDISK HW 1-1 [SRC logo]Runout A etched, variant 1
422 832⸱729⸱1-BS-SP 1-1 [SRC logo] MASTERDISK HWRunout B etched, variant 1
422⸱832⸱729-1-AS-SP MASTERDISK HW 1-1 [SRC]Runout A etched, variant 2
422 832⸱729⸱1-BS-SP 1-1 [SRC] MASTERDISKRunout B etched, variant 2
220086 A 19 4 88Runout Side A
220086 B 13 4 88Runout Side B
834455-1ASide A, etched
834455-1BSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australasia | Mercury 834 455-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | Mercury 834455-1 / Mercury 834 455-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Vertigo 832 729-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Colombia | Mercury 832 729-1First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 834 455-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Mercury 834 455-1 / Mercury INT 834 455-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Greece | Mercury 832 729-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | Mercury 832 729-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1988 | Spain | Mercury 834 455-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | UK & Europe | Mercury ZODLP 1 / Mercury 832 729-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Vertigo 832 729-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Vertigo 422 832 729-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Vertigo 422 832 729-1 Q-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 220086 / Mercury 834455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Tattooed Beat Messiah are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK & Europe, US, Yugoslavia, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury ZODLP 1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZODLP 1, 832 729-1, 422 832 729-1 Q-1, 220086) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ✳ ZODLP-1 A-1 ✳ MT. JA 1 1 and ✳ ZODLP-1 B-2 ✳ MT. JA 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.
