Vinyl pressings
by Daryl Hall & John Oates · 1980
How Does It Feel To Be Back 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.
12 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.
PB ̶P̶A̶ -12048-A3 MASTERDISK RL I A2Runout A etched, MASTERDISC I A2 stamped
PB-12048-B3 I A1 DRunout B etched, MASTERDISC I A1 stamped
PB-12048-ALabel A
PB-12048-BLabel B
RCA PB-2048-A PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
RCA- PB-2048-B PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
PB 2048-ALabel side A
PB 2048-BLabel side B
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 | RCA Victor 103652First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA PB-12048First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 2048 / RCA PB 2048First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RPS-6First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA RPS-6First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | RCA PB-2048First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | RCA Victor 42 1007First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Spain | RCA PB-2048First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Spain | RCA Victor PB-2048First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | RCA PB-12048First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | RCA JD 12053First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1980 | US | RCA JH-12048First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Not On Label PB-120487", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
13 vinyl pressings of How Does It Feel To Be Back are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is RCA PB-12048.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-12048, JD 12053, JH-12048, 103652) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB ̶P̶A̶ -12048-A3 MASTERDISK RL I A2 and PB-12048-B3 I A1 D. 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.
