South Africa LP variants: Born In The U.S.A.

[eddy_wehbe]

As far as I know, there are at least 2 versions of the South Africa vinyl pressing of Born In The U.S.A..

Born In The USA South Africa versions.jpg (2.24 MiB) Viewed 107 times

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Version 1:
- Catalog number DNW 2985
- "COPYRIGHT RESERVED UNAUTHORISED PUBLIC PERFORMANCE BROADCASTING AND COPYING PROHIBITED" and "MARKETED AND DISTRIBUTED BY GRAMOPHONE RECORD CO. (PTY.) LTD." on labels' outer ring
My copy

Version 2:
- Catalog number DNW 2985
- "COPYRIGHT RESERVED UNAUTHORISED PUBLIC PERFORMANCE BROADCASTING LETTING HIRING AND COPYING PROHIBITED" on labels' outer ring
(same sleeve as version 1)
My copy


Notes:
- I think I listed all the versions in the correct chronological order
- Please have a look at your copies and tell me if you have one that's any different from the ones I listed.
- From all the copies I've seen, no South African pressing comes with a lyrics insert. Only a printed inner sleeve that carries the "DNW 2985" catalog number.

[eddy_wehbe]

I own both versions of the South Africa vinyl pressing of Born In The U.S.A., and they both have the same etchings on the runout groove:
Side 1 (hand-etched): DNW-2985A-1
Side 2 (hand-etched): DNW-2985B-1

It seems that these inscriptions were made on the master lacquer and that no additional inscriptions were applied to the stampers.

The runout groove (dead wax) area on version 1 side 1 has a diameter of ~136mm. The runout groove (dead wax) area on version 2 side 1 has a diameter of ~124mm. Though both carry the same hand-etched inscription ("DNW-2985A-1"), the handwriting is clearly different.

This means that version 1 side 1 and version 2 side 1 were pressed using stampers from different master lacquers, and therefore there should be difference in audio fidelity. More dead-wax area on version 1 side 1 means that the spacing between the grooves is narrower, which provides less dynamic sound. Less dead-wax area on version 2 side 1 means the stylus runs at lower speeds through the inner grooves which reduces sound fidelity.

The runout groove (dead wax) area on version 1 side 2 and version 2 side 2 has a diameter of ~114mm. They both carry the same hand-etched inscription ("DNW-2985B-1"), with the same handwriting.

This means that version 1 side 2 and version 2 side 2 were pressed using stampers from the same master lacquer, or possibly the same stamper.