Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Springsteen · 1981
Fade Away was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 4 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-168080 1J F̵9̵ KP MASTERED BY CAPITOL TIIVariant 1: Runout side A
ZSS-168081 1J F̵9̵ KP MASTERED BY CAPITOL TIVariant 1: Runout side B
ZSS-168080 1J F̵9̵ MASTERED BY CAPITOL TI kpVariant 2: Runout side A
ZSS-168081 1K F̵1̵0̵ MASTERED BY CAPITOL TI kp T̵Variant 2: Runout side B
ZSS-168080 1H F8 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPRunout side A, variant 1
ZSS-168081 1E F5 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP PRunout side B, variant 1
ZSS-168080 1H F8 MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side A, variant 2
ZSS-168081 1H F8 MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout side B, variant 2
ZSS-168080 1B F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL SSVariant 1: Runout side A
ZSS-168081 1C F3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL SVariant 1: Runout side B
ZSS-168080 1D FR MASTERED BY CAPITOL SSSVariant 2: Runout side A
ZSS-168081 1C F3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL SSVariant 2: Runout side B
XSS-168116 1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL A T1Runout matrix - Side A
XSS-168117 1E MASTERED BY CAPITOL A2 T1Runout matrix - Side B
XSS 168116Label matrix - side A
XSS 168117Label matrix - side B
ZSS-168080 1K F̶1̶0̶ ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ ᵀᴵᴵ KPRun-out A, etched (ᴍʙᴄ stamp)
T ZSS-168080 1N F̶1̶2̶ ᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟ ᵀᴵ KPRun-out B, etched (ᴍʙᴄ stamp)
ZSS 168080Both labels
XSS-168116 1B F2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL A2 KP S1Runout Side A
XSS-168117 1A F1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL A2 KP S1Runout Side B
XSS 168116Label Side A
XSS 168117Label Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | CBS BA 222801First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS BA 222801First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Canada | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS BA 222801First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS BA 222806First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Styrene |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia AS 928First year12", Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia AS 928First year12", EP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", EP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia 11-11431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Columbia C4-10807", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Fade Away are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Columbia 11-11431, released January 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 11-11431, AS 928, BA 222801, BA 222806) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSS-168080 1J F̵9̵ KP MASTERED BY CAPITOL TII and ZSS-168081 1J F̵9̵ KP MASTERED BY CAPITOL 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.
