Vinyl pressings
by Chick Corea · 1980
Tap Step 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.
24 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 17 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-1-3425 JWISide A runout, variant 1
SUB B BSK-2-3425 JWI #Side B runout, variant 1
BSK-1-3425 JW1 : 0Side A runout, variant 2
SUB B BSK-2-3425 JW1 #1 0Side B runout, variant 2
BSK-1-3425 LW4 ° ·━· ✲ ✲Runout side A, etched; ✲ ✲ stamped
BSK-2-3425 LW4 ° ·━· ✲ ✲Runout side B, etched; ✲ ✲ stamped
BSK-1-3425 S1 + SLM + △308Runout side A, etched
BSK-2-3425 LW4 • ·━· ✲ ✲Runout side B, etched; ✲ ✲ stamped
W-4 KD STRAWBERRY K56801 A1side A
W-2 K-D STRAWBERRY K56801 B1 2
W-6 STRAWBERRY K56801 A1Runout A side
W-7 STRAWBERRY K56801 B1Runout B side
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 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3425First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Austria | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 801 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36.154First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3425First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | Warner Bros. Records 23(1031)00203First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 801 (BSK 3425)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 801 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Israel | Warner Bros. Records BAN 56801First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56801First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10815WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10815WFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 801 (BSK 3425) / Warner Bros. Records WB 56801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
28 vinyl pressings of Tap Step are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3425.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3425, K 56801, WB 56 801, 36.154) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3425 JWI and SUB B BSK-2-3425 JWI #. 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.
