Bon Jovi | Slippery When Wet | 1986

**Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet (1986 UK Vinyl LP – Vertigo VERH 38)**

Original 1986 UK pressing of Bon Jovi's legendary third studio album, *Slippery When Wet*, released on Vertigo Records, catalogue number VERH 38 / 830 264-1.

Featuring first-cut A//1 and B//1 matrices and the etched JA initials associated with lacquer-cutting engineer Jack Adams, this is a British-manufactured pressing of one of the biggest and most successful rock albums of the 1980s.

The vinyl is graded Very Good Plus (VG+), the original outer sleeve is Very Good Plus (VG+), and the original printed picture/lyric inner sleeve is in excellent Near Mint (NM) condition.

**The Album**

Released in August 1986, *Slippery When Wet* transformed Bon Jovi from a promising American hard-rock band into one of the world's biggest musical acts.

Produced by Bruce Fairbairn and recorded at Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, Canada, the album combined powerful guitar-driven rock with unforgettable choruses, polished production and some of the most recognisable songs of the decade.

The classic Bon Jovi line-up features Jon Bon Jovi on lead vocals, Richie Sambora on guitar, Alec John Such on bass, Tico Torres on drums and David Bryan on keyboards.

The album opens with the explosive *Let It Rock*, before launching into the worldwide hit *You Give Love a Bad Name*, a song that became one of the defining rock anthems of the 1980s.

Other highlights include the enormous hit *Livin' on a Prayer*, featuring Richie Sambora's distinctive talk-box guitar effects, the powerful *Wanted Dead or Alive*, and the uplifting *Never Say Goodbye*.

With songwriting contributions from Desmond Child and production that perfectly captured the energy of the era, *Slippery When Wet* became a landmark album in melodic hard rock.

It reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and went on to sell millions of copies worldwide, establishing Bon Jovi as one of the most successful rock bands of their generation.

For collectors of 1980s rock, melodic hard rock and original British vinyl pressings, *Slippery When Wet* remains an essential album.

**1986 UK Pressing Identification**

This copy was manufactured in England and released on the distinctive yellow Vertigo label, featuring the label's famous spiral logo.

Both sides carry first-cut UK matrix numbers, A//1 and B//1, together with the 420 manufacturing code associated with UK PolyGram record production.

Side One also carries the etched initials JA, identifying the lacquer cutting associated with British mastering engineer Jack Adams.

The runout inscriptions closely correspond with the pressing documented as Variant 6 on Discogs, although additional stamped manufacturing characters are present on this particular copy.

It is therefore described as a 1986 UK pressing with Jack Adams lacquer-cutting initials, closely matching Discogs Variant 6, rather than being claimed as an exact variant match.

**Record Details**

Artist: Bon Jovi

Album: Slippery When Wet

Release year: 1986

Country: United Kingdom

Label: Vertigo

Catalogue number: VERH 38 / 830 264-1

Format: 12-inch vinyl LP

Speed: 33⅓ RPM

Audio: Stereo

Label design: Yellow Vertigo label

Manufacture: Made in England

Lacquer-cutting initials: JA – Jack Adams

Matrix combination: A//1 / B//1

**Matrix / Runout Information**

Side One:

VERH 38 A//1▽420 T 1 – etched JA, with additional stamped 21.

Side Two:

VERH 38 B//1▽420 T 1 3 1 1

These inscriptions have been transcribed from the actual record offered for sale. Spacing between stamped manufacturing characters may differ from published Discogs transcriptions.

**Track Listing**

Side One

1. Let It Rock
2. You Give Love a Bad Name
3. Livin' on a Prayer
4. Social Disease
5. Wanted Dead or Alive

Side Two

1. Raise Your Hands
2. Without Love
3. I'd Die for You
4. Never Say Goodbye
5. Wild in the Streets

**Condition Report**

**Vinyl: Very Good Plus (VG+)**

The vinyl is in Very Good Plus condition, showing light signs of previous handling and use consistent with its grade.

Both playing surfaces have been visually inspected and graded using the Goldmine grading system.

The record presents well overall and remains an attractive example of this original 1986 UK pressing.

As with all Comfortably Spun records, the vinyl has not been play-tested. Its grade reflects visual condition and does not constitute a guarantee of playback quality.

**Original Outer Sleeve: Very Good Plus (VG+)**

The original outer picture sleeve is graded Very Good Plus.

It shows signs of age, storage and previous handling consistent with its grade, while retaining an attractive overall appearance.

Please examine the accompanying photographs carefully, as they show the actual sleeve being offered for sale.

**Original Printed Picture/Lyric Inner Sleeve: Near Mint (NM)**

The original printed picture and lyric inner sleeve is present and in superb Near Mint condition.

It displays minimal evidence of previous handling or wear and has been exceptionally well preserved.

The inclusion of this original NM inner sleeve is a particularly attractive feature, especially as many surviving copies have worn, damaged or replacement inners.

**Why This Pressing Is Collectable**

Original British pressings of *Slippery When Wet* remain popular among collectors of 1980s hard rock and classic vinyl.

This copy offers several desirable features, including its 1986 UK manufacture, first-cut A//1 and B//1 matrices, and the etched JA lacquer-cutting initials associated with Jack Adams.

The original Near Mint picture/lyric inner sleeve is another appealing addition, helping to preserve the presentation of this classic release.

Although *Slippery When Wet* was produced in substantial quantities and is not considered a particularly rare album, clean original pressings remain desirable to collectors and fans of Bon Jovi's classic 1980s recordings.

Featuring *Livin' on a Prayer*, *You Give Love a Bad Name*, *Wanted Dead or Alive* and *Never Say Goodbye*, this is an album packed with some of the band's most celebrated songs.

An excellent addition to any collection of classic rock, melodic hard rock or 1980s vinyl.

**Important Information**

All records sold by Comfortably Spun Records are visually graded according to the Goldmine grading system. Records are not play-tested, and visual grading should not be interpreted as a guarantee of playback performance.

The photographs accompanying this listing show the actual record, outer sleeve and original printed inner sleeve being offered for sale. Please examine them carefully before purchasing.

Every record is carefully cleaned before dispatch and securely packaged to help protect it during transportation.

Orders are dispatched within two working days. UK orders are sent using Royal Mail Tracked 48, with international delivery times varying according to destination.

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