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 108 times

(save the image or open it in a new tab to zoom in)


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.