Vinyl pressings
by Billy Joel · 1986
The Bridge was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
38 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 25 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.
P(AP) AL 40402 6A STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
P(AP) BL 40402 4B STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
AP P AL 40402 6AB O C STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
P(AP) BL 40402 4B STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
AL 40402 6C G2 A4 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
BL 40402 4C G2 B3 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
AL 40402 6C E G1 A5 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 2
BL 40402 4C C G1 A9 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 2
AL 40402 5G DMM Sterling TJ SBMA #9 SBMB#4 A1E4 45262ASide A runout etched variant 1
BL 40402 5E DMM Sterling TJ 45262B1 SBMA #3 SBMO#1 A12Side B runout etched variant 1
AL 40402 5E DMM Sterling TJ SBMA #3 SBMO#1 P 45262-A2Side A runout etched variant 2
BL 40402 4G STERLING o P APSide B runout etched, except STERLING stamped variant 2
AL 40402 4BA G2 A1 STERLINGRunout side A
BL 40402-5B̶A̶A DMM STERLING TJ ·G2 45262- B2̶1 SBMA#2 G1 SBMA 2 SBM07Runout side B
AL 40402Label side A
BL 40402Label side B
AL 40402 5̷3̷A̶ DMM STERLING TJ G2 SBMA#2 SBMO# 6 F8 SBMA#2 45262-A2Side A runout, variant 1
BL 40402-5̷3̷A̶ DMM STERLING TJ G4 45262- B21 SBMA #4 SBMO# 5 E 1Side B runout, variant 1
AL 40402-5B̶A̶A G DMM STERLING TJ SBMA #1SBMO#4 A3 45262-A2Side A runout, variant 2
BL 40402-5B̶A̶E DMM STERLING TJ 45262-B21 SBMA #3 SBMO #1 A 9 ·GSide B runout, variant 2
AL 40402 4̷A̷B̷ 6AB A STERLING AP 0 PSide A runout
BL 40402 4G 5 STERLING 0 P APSide B runout
AL 40402Side A label
BL 40402Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | Columbia 120809 / CBS 120809First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Australia | CBS SBP 8178First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Brazil | CBS 138688 / Discos CBS 138688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Columbia COC 40402LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Colombia | Columbia OC 40402 / Columbia C 40402First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS 465561 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | India | CBS CBS 10297First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Ireland | CBS CBS 86323First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | CBS CBS 86323-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3220First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5863 / Family Productions CLS-5863First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 8178First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Peru | CBS S.E. 8834 / CBS Discos S.E. 8834First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Friday Music FRM-40402 / Columbia 88875013301LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | US | Friday Music FRM-40402 / Columbia FRM-40402LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Deluxe Edition, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Europe | Columbia 196587008215 / Columbia C 40402LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 465561 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
48 vinyl pressings of The Bridge are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1986 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Europe, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia OC 40402.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use OC 40402, CBS 86323, 28AP 3220, KJPL-0489) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P(AP) AL 40402 6A STERLING and P(AP) BL 40402 4B STERLING. 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.
