Vinyl pressings
by Buffalo Tom · 1990
Birdbrain was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1990, the album's first year, in 3 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.
SITU31A2 DAMONT STU IEtched runout side A Variant 1
SITU31B2 DAMONT UEtched runout side B Variant 1
SITu31A2 DAMONT LYN 27630 . STU 11Etched runout side A Variant 2
SITu31B2 DAMONT LYN 27631 10Etched runout side A Variant 2
065-30981 A SNB [many strange signs like X, ж, к, Җ]Runout side A, etched
065-30981 B SNBRunout side B, etched
065-30981 A SNB
065-30981 B SNB
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | Rebel Rec. 065-30981 / Rebel Rec. SPV 065-30981First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | Germany | Rebel Rec. 065-30981First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1990 | Italy | Situation Two SITULP 31First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1990 | UK | Situation Two SITU 31First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | Situation Two SITU 31First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1991 | Australia | Shock SHOCK 1002LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | Australia | Shock SHOCK 1002LP, Album, White Label · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, White Label · Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | Australia | Shock SHOCK 1002LP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Worldwide | Beggars Arkive BBQ2179LP / Beggars Banquet BBQ2179LPLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Beggars Banquet BBQ-2179-LP2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Birdbrain are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1990 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in UK, Germany, Italy. One of them is Situation Two SITU 31, released October 15, 1990.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SITU 31, 065-30981, SITULP 31) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SITU31A2 DAMONT STU I and SITU31B2 DAMONT U. 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.
