Vinyl pressings
by Bill Withers · 1978
'Bout Love was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
AL-35596-1E MASTERDISK RL o TISide A runout, etched {MASTERDISK, o stamped}, variant 1
BL-35596-1B D3 o TISide B runout, etched {o stamped}, variant 1
AL-35596-1E MASTERDISK RL o TISide A runout, etched {MASTERDISK, o stamped}, variant 2
BL-35596-1B A2 o T2Side B runout, etched {A, o stamped}, variant 2
S AL-35596-1C MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, etched ("MASTERDISK" stamped)
S BL-35596-1F MASTERDISK RL B1Side B runout, etched ("MASTERDISK" stamped)
AL 35596Side A Label
BL 35596Side B Label
P AL-35596-1D MASTERDISK RLA-Side Runout Etching
BL-35596-1A P MASTERDISK RLB-Side Runout Etching
AL 35596A-Side Label
BL 35596B-Side Label
P AL-35596-1D MASTERDISK RLA-Side Runout Etching
BL-35596-1A P MASTERDISK RLB-Side Runout Etching
AL 35596A-Side Label
BL 35596B-Side Label
1s AL-35596-1F MASTERDISK RLA runout
1d BL-35596-1F MASTERDISK RLB runout
AL 35596A label
BL 35596B label
T/ AL-35596-1E MASTERDISK RLA-Side Runout Etching
T2 BL-35596-1BB-Side Runout Etching
MASTERDISKstamped
AL 35596A-Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | CBS SBP-237291First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia PC 35596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1345First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Columbia ASF2271First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 83176First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | CBS CBS 83176First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35596First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35596First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35596First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35596First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35596First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83176 / CBS 83176LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of 'Bout Love are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1978 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia JC 35596.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35596, S CBS 83176, CBS 83176, SBP-237291) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-35596-1E MASTERDISK RL o TI and BL-35596-1B D3 o TI. 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.
