Hüsker Dü – Zen Arcade

Per the description, this should have a sticker and barcode on the back, but the images don't reflect that.

The posted images may be from an earlier pressing. I received a pressing with 37516.1-4 in the runouts, white cardboard, no sticker on the back, etc. but with small labels on all discs.

Also, I'm assuming the extant pressing information is simply a carryover that hasn't been removed from the stampers. If this was pressed by RTI (indicated by 37516 per the notes), then the references to Rainbo and Greg Lee Processing should be removed for this listing.

I will say this 2023 pressing plays pretty quiet and clean and has relatively good dynamics for what I think is known to be a fairly lo-fi DIY mastering.

Yeah so I'm pretty certain this is the pressing I have, but no import sticker, or memory of one. Do we still have no idea when this was released? I can't for the life of me when or where I bought it.

well does anyone know the exact truth of early pressings?? My copy does not have the large pressing ring, but gatefold is heavy tip on, brown on the inside, and the lp's are Quiex, translucent brown when held against light.
Could it be that these were pressed at different pressings plants??

Please pay attention that there are pressings with first pressing vinyl (large pressing rings), but regular gatefold sleeves (white inside), which are the versions that I see most of the time. They fill the lartge gap between 1984 and 1989 when the rainbo versions has been pressed.

Unfortunately a lot submitters have used these scans of the tip-on sleeve for their versions as well (not seeing the difference I suppose), even for UK pressings!

Just the very first batch has had these old tip-on sleeves!

Have a copy with labels as listed (no SST above side two), but no 37516.___.

Does this release use white cardboard inside, where the records are stored? With a 4" square folded SST / Cruz Records catalog?

This is a quality release, the packaging is a sturdy heavy duty cardboard construction. You can see the natural brown color of the cardboard in the sleeve. Plus the records sound great.

A LOT of people are selling the second pressing as first pressing here. It’s quite easy to distinguish them as the labels are different, or rather the pressing ring(s) on the labels.

First pressing = one big pressing ring (as in the pics)
Second pressing = one big and one smaller pressing ring
Later pressings = one small pressing ring

It’s really not that complicated

If you wanna be 100% you’re getting a first press; ask for pics, or just get the UK pressing instead.

Purchased new direct from SST in 2022. One of the cleanest records I’ve received in a long time. Silent also. Gatefold is strong and sturdy. I appreciate they didn’t correct the misprint that was on the original release on the label/cover for Track A5 and D2.