Vinyl pressings
by AC/DC · 1980
Hell's Bells was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 6 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
WEA 11650 A Ʈ MPOVariant 1, runout, side A
WEA 11650 B Ʈ MPOVariant 1, runout, side B
WEA 11650 A Ʈ MPO A1Variant 2, runout, side A
WEA 11650 B Ʈ MPOVariant 2, runout, side B
WEA-11650-A PFRunout A, var. 1
WEA-11650-Bx PFRunout B, var. 1
WEA-11650-A²x PFRunout A, var. 2
WEA-11650-Bx PFRunout B, var. 2
WEA-11650-A²x PFRunout A, etched
WEA-11650-Bx PFRunout B, etched
MS 6021-X-ALabel A
MS 6021-X-BLabel B
WEA-11650-A² PFRunout A, etched
WEA-11650-Bx PFRunout B, etched
MS 6021-X-ALabel A
MS 6021-X-BLabel B
WEA-11650-A² PFRunout A, etched
WEA-11650-Bx PFRunout B, etched
MS 6021-X-ALabel A
MS 6021-X-BLabel B
WEA - 11650 -A- PFRunout, Side A (Etched
WEA - 11650 -B- PFRunout, Side B (Etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Atlantic MS 6021First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Canada | Atlantic MS 6021First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | Atlantic 11 650 / Atlantic 116507", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Atlantic 11 650 / Atlantic 11650First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | France | Atlantic 11 650 / Atlantic 116507", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11 6507", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Atlantic 11650 / Atlantic ATL 11.650First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11 650First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11 650First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11 650First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Atlantic ATL 11 650First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Portugal | Atlantic ATL 11 650 / Alvorada ATL 11 650First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Portugal | Atlantic ATL 11 650 / Alvorada ATL 11 650First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Atlantic ATL 11 650First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | France | Atlantic 116507", 45 RPM, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Atlantic SL 52237", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| ? | Argentina | Atlantic SL 52237", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Hell's Bells are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in France, Germany, Portugal, Scandinavia and more. One of them is Atlantic 11 650.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 11 650, ATL 11 650, MS 6021, 11650) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WEA 11650 A Ʈ MPO and WEA 11650 B Ʈ MPO. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
