Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band · 1986
War 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.
31 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 15 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.
ZSS-175513-1C G1 E 11ARƐL7114ƐƐSide A, runout Variant 1
ZSS-175514-1C G1 A 10Side B, runout Variant 1
ZSS-175513-1C G1 A(scratche out) A3Side A, runout Variant 2
ZSS-175514-1C MASTERDISK E(stamped) G1 A 10Side B, runout Variant 2
P(P) ZSS-175513-1B MASTERDISKRunout side A variation 1
P(P) ZSS-175514-1A MASTERDISKRunout side B variation 1
P(P) ZSS-175513-1ARunout side A variation 2
P(P) ZSS-175514-1A MASTERDISKRunout side B variation 2
P (AP) ZSS - 175540-1C MASTERDISK RLRunout A etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamp)
P (AP) ZSS - 175541- 1D MASTERDISKRunout B etched (ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴅɪsᴋ stamp)
ZSS 175540Side A, label
ZSS 175541Side B, label
650193-7 A1Runout side A, variant 1
650193-7 B1Runout side B, variant 1
650193-7 A1 ΛRunout side A, variant 2
650193-7 B1 ΛRunout side B, variant 2
650193-6 A3 0 ARunout side A
650193-6 B3 2 ARunout side B
650193-6⋅A-1 5MT. DAMONT AD2Runout side A, variant 1
650193-6⋅B⋅2 1MT. DAMONT AD2 JRunout side B, variant 1
650193-6⋅A-2 1 MT. AD2 DAMONT ZRunout side A, variant 2
650193-6⋅B⋅2 1 MT. DAMONT AD2 ZRunout side B, variant 2
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 | Australia | CBS BA 3504First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | CBS BA 3504First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Brazil | CBS 51.142First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Costa Rica | CBS 7013199First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS 650193 7 / CBS CBS 650193 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS CBS 650193 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS PRO 391First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Greece | CBS CBS 650193 6 / CBS CBS 650193First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | CBS 650193 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | CBS 650193 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | CBS CBS 650193 7 / CBS 650193 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 1000First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Mexico | CBS PR-650539First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mispress, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Philippines | CBS CS-10154First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | CBS CBS 650193 7 / CBS 650193 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 13-687057", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Reissue, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Reissue, Styrene |
35 vinyl pressings of War are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1986 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia 38-06432, released November 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-06432, CS7-2557, 650193 7, 650193 8) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-175513-1C G1 E 11ARƐL7114ƐƐ and ZSS-175514-1C G1 A 10. 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.
