Vinyl pressings
by Captain Beefheart · 1978
Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 2 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.
BSK-1-3256-WW1(Variant 1) A-Side run-out, hand-etched
BSK-2-3256-WW2(Variant 1) B-Side run-out, hand-etched
BSK-1-3256-WW1(Variant 2) A-Side run-out, hand-etched
BSK-2-3256-WW2 #2(Variant 2) B-Side run-out, hand-etched
✲Both sides, stamped, all variants
BSK-1-3256-LW2Side A, etched, variant 1
BSK-2-3256-LW3Side B, etched, variant 1
BSK-1-3256-LW2Side A, etched, variant 2
SUB BSK-1-3256-JW1 #1Etched Side A, Variant 1
BSK-2-3256-JW2 #2Etched Side B, Variant 1
SUB BSK-1-3256-JW1 #1 ()Etched Side A, Variant 2
BSK-2-3256-JW2 #2 ()Etched Side B, Variant 2
BSK-3256-1-1A-2HZOA-Side run-out variant 1, hand-etched
BSK-3256-2-1A-2HZOB-Side run-out variant 1, hand-etched
BSK 3256-1 1A 2HZD 0A-Side runout variant 2, etched
BSK 3256-2 1A 2HZD 0B-Side runout variant 2, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Virgin L 37251 / Virgin V 2149LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Virgin 2473 794LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Virgin 201 425-320 / Virgin 201 425LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Virgin 2473794 / Virgin V 2149LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Virgin 2473794 / Virgin V 2149LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Virgin 201 425 / Virgin 201.425LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Virgin V 2149LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | Virgin VIR(L) 3012 / Virgin V 2149LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Virgin V 2149LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V 2149LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | Virgin V 2149LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Virgin VIP-4105LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | Virgin 201 425-320 / Virgin 201 425LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Virgin 201 425-320 / Virgin 201 425LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Virgin 201 425-320 / Virgin 201 425LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | UK | Virgin OVED 67LP, Reissue, Album | LP, Reissue, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | Rhino Records R1 725606 / Warner Records 081227819279LP, Album, Reissue, LP, All Media, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, LP, All Media, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 201 425-320 / Virgin 201 425LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin OVED 67LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
30 vinyl pressings of Shiny Beast (Bat Chain Puller) are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1978 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3256.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3256) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3256-WW1 and BSK-2-3256-WW2. 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.
