Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Springsteen · 1988
Tougher Than The Rest was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
651641-A-H MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 1
651641-B-H MASTERDISKRunout side B, variant 1
01-651641-1A-1 651641-A-H MASTERDISK D̶M̶M̶ ARunout side A, variant 2
01-651641-1B-1 651641-B-H MASTERDISK D̶M̶M̶ ARunout side B, variant 2
01-651641-1A-1 751641-A-H MASTERDISK D̶M̶M̶Runout side A, variant 1
01-651641-1B-1 751641-B-H MASTERDISK D̶M̶M̶Runout side B, variant 1
01-651641-1A-1 751641-A-H MASTERDISK ̶D̶M̶M̶ BRunout side A, variant 2
01-651641-1B-1 751641-B-H MASTERDISK D̶M̶M̶ CRunout side B, variant 2
BRUCE 3 A1 751641-A-E MASTERDISK DMM ⋀Side A runout, etched (the '⋀' is stamped)
BRUCE 3 B1 751641-B-E MASTERDISK DMM ⋀Side B runout, etched (the '⋀' is stamped)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 651641 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 651641 6First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Australia | CBS 651641 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS CBS 651641 7 / CBS 651641 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS Bruce B3 / CBS CBS 651641 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | France | CBS CBS PRO 443First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Ireland | CBS BRUCE 3First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS 651641 7 / CBS CBS 651641 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS ARI 2087First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 651641 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Spain | CBS CBS 651641 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | CBS BRUCE T3First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | CBS BRUCE Q3First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | CBS BRUCE B3 / CBS CBS 651641 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | CBS CBS 651641 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
19 vinyl pressings of Tougher Than The Rest are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, UK, Australia, Ireland and more. One of them is CBS 651641 6, released June 23, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 651641 6, CBS 651641 7, Bruce B3, BRUCE 3) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 651641-A-H MASTERDISK and 651641-B-H MASTERDISK. 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.
