VinylAI 
Data as of Jun 16, 2026
Michael Jackson – Thriller
1983 · UK · Epic · Vinyl 7" 45 RPM Single
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Pressing identification
Match these against your copy to confirm the exact pressing.
- Runout — side A
- 0I-3643-2A-1 NL MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.0I-3643-1A-1 NL MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. A[flower logo]
- Runout — side B
- 0I-3643-2B-1 NL
- Rights society
- MCPS/BIEM
- Label Code
- LC 0199
- Price Code
- CB 111
- Mastered At
- Allen Zentz Mastering
- Pressed By
- CBS, Haarlem
Specifications
- Artist
- Michael Jackson
- Style
- Disco
- Year
- 1983
- Label
- Epic
- Catalog number
- A 3643
- Country
- UK
Tracklist
- AThriller4:37
- BThings I Do For You (Live)3:31
- Producer
- Quincy Jones
- Mastered By
- Brian Gardner
About this record
The UK 7" single pairs the 1983 Thriller title track with a B-side drawn from The Jacksons' 1981 Live album, a pairing unique to this Epic pressing. Stamped in the dead wax 0I-3643-2A-1 NL, it was mastered at Allen Zentz L.A. and pressed by CBS in Haarlem, making the plant origin verifiable in the runout.
Demand outpaces supply: 280 collectors want it against 861 who own one, a want-to-have ratio that signals steady collector interest in this format.
What drives its value
This UK 45 trades on its dual-source appeal—the A-side from the Thriller LP (EPC 85930) and the B-side from The Jacksons Live (EPC 88562)—rather than on rarity alone. The 861 copies in collector hands suggest moderate circulation, yet the 280 active want entries indicate persistent demand.
The catalogue number A 3643 appears on the cover while EPCA 3643 marks the labels, a discrepancy that confirms pressing authenticity. The glossy picture cover and dark blue labels are original to the 1983 release; the single was deleted in 1986, closing its commercial window.
Community rating stands at 4.55 across 40 votes, reflecting consistent collector regard. Condition and the presence of both the cover and original labels drive valuation; barcode absence is typical of UK 1983 pressings.
How to appraise this pressing
Verify the pressing by checking the catalogue number: A 3643 on the cover and EPCA 3643 printed on both labels. Examine the dead-wax runout on both sides—Side A should read 0I-3643-2A-1 NL MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF., and Side B 0I-3643-1A-1 NL MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.
A, with a flower logo also present in the runout. The pressing plant CBS, Haarlem is confirmed by the NL designation (Netherlands).
The cover must be glossy and the labels dark blue; any deviation suggests a later reissue or variant. The 7" 45 RPM format is standard.
Grade by examining the vinyl surface under light for hairline scratches and the cover for creasing or discoloration; original shrink-wrap, if present, adds to condition assessment.
Further reading: grading a record, what makes a pressing valuable.
Listen
Hear the album before you buy.
Official videos via YouTube.
Release notes
Side A - (P) 1983 CBS Inc. Taken from the Lp: "8883" EPC 85930. Produced for Quincy Jones. Rondor Music (London) Ltd. / Rodsongs Side B - (P) 1981 CBS Inc. Taken from the Lp: "THE JACKSONS - LIVE" EPC 88562. Carlin Music Corp.
Catalog number A 3643 on cover and EPCA 3643 on labels. Glossy picture cover and dark blue labels. Deleted 1986.
Notes sourced from the Discogs database.
Frequently asked
Why does the catalogue number differ between cover and label?
The cover reads A 3643 while the labels print EPCA 3643. This is not an error but a standard UK Epic practice of the 1983 period, where the cover used the shorter designation and the label the full catalogue code. Both refer to the same pressing and release.
What is the significance of the CBS Haarlem pressing plant?
The NL designation in the runout (0I-3643-2A-1 NL) identifies CBS, Haarlem in the Netherlands as the manufacturer. This plant was a major supplier of UK Epic pressings in the early 1980s. The Allen Zentz mastering credit confirms the lacquer was cut in Los Angeles before pressing in Haarlem.
Why is the B-side from a 1981 Jackson 5 album on a 1983 Thriller single?
The B-side, taken from The Jacksons Live (EPC 88562), was a catalog deep cut paired with the Thriller title track for the UK 45 market. This pairing is specific to this pressing and does not appear on other regional 7" versions, making it a distinct artifact of the UK release strategy.
When was this single deleted and why does that matter?
The single was deleted in 1986, three years after its 1983 release. Deletion marks the end of the commercial pressing run, meaning all copies in circulation today are original stock from that 1983–1986 window. No reissues were made under the original catalogue number, so any copy is from the original pressing.
How many collectors have this pressing and how many want it?
861 collectors have recorded ownership, while 280 have marked it as wanted. This 3:1 ratio indicates moderate supply relative to demand, typical of a successful but not scarce UK single. The 4.55 community rating across 40 votes reflects consistent satisfaction among those who own it.