Vinyl pressings
by Carlene Carter · 1980
Musical Shapes was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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-1-3465-LW1• 1 AMIGO-PB ✲ ✲Runout side A, variant 1
BSK-2-3465-LW1• 1 AMIGO-PB ✲ ✲Runout side B, variant 1
BSK-1- 3465-LW2 • (1) ✲ ✲ AMIGO-PBRunout side A, variant 2
BSK•2-3465 -LW2 • 1 ✲ ✲ AMIGO-PBRunout side B, variant 2
BSK-1-3465 WW2 #2 ─◁Runout A etched - variant 1
BSK-2-3465-WW1 #3 ─◁ AMIGO-PBRunout B etched - variant 1
BSK-1-3465 WW2 #3 ─◁Runout A etched - variant 2
BSK-2-3465-WW1 ─◁ AMIGO-PBRunout B etched - variant 2
BSK-1-3465-JW1 AMIGO PB ORunout A etched / 1 ✲ stamped
BSK-2-3465-JW1• 1 AMIGO-PB ORunout B etched / 1 ✲ stamped
BSK-1-3465-JW2 #1Runout A etched
BSK-2-3465-JW1 #2Runout B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56839First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10901WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK & Ireland | F-Beat XXLP 3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3465First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3465First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3465First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3465LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
14 vinyl pressings of Musical Shapes are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Italy, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3465, released August 1, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3465, W 56839, XBS 3465, WB 56839) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3465-LW1• 1 AMIGO-PB ✲ ✲ and BSK-2-3465-LW1• 1 AMIGO-PB ✲ ✲. 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.
