Vinyl pressings
by David Bowie · 1980
Ashes To Ashes 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.
38 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 16 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 9575-A-2 BODO 6 AIH [Etched] TOWNHOUSE [stamped]Variant 1: A side runout
PB 9575-B-2 A2M .W. [Etched] TOWNHOUSE [stamped]Variant 1: B side runout
PB 9575-A-1 BOW 6 A1J TOWNHOUSEVariant 2: A side runout
PB 9575-B-2 A1I '1W' TOWNHOUSEVariant 2: B side runout
(PB 9575) A-1 BOW 6 A4 EX W CA (Sideways) TOWNHOUSESide A
BOW-6B (PB 9575) B-1 EX W A4 BG (Sideways) TOWNHOUSESide B
(PB 9575)-A-2 BOW 6 A1F TOWNHOUSEVariant 1, Side A
(PB 9575)-B-2 BOW 6 A1H 'W' TOWNHOUSEVariant 1, Side B
(PB 9575)-A-2 BOW 6 A1E 'W' TOWNHOUSEVariant 2, Side A
BOW 6 (PB 9575)-B-1 'W' A2E TOWNHOUSEVariant 2, Side B
TOWNHOUSE BOW 6 A3Runout, side A
TOWNHOUSE BOW 6 B3Runout, side B
BOW 6 ALabel side A
BOW 6 BLabel side B
(PB 9575)-A-1 BOW 6 A4 D EX W 1 TOWNHOUSERunout side A
BOW-6 B (PB 9575)-B-1 EXI W 1 A4 TOWNHOUSERunout side B
PB9575-A-2 BOW 6 A1 WO TOWNHOUSEA side runout, variant 1
BOW 6 PB9575-B-1 A3 1 7 TOWNHOUSEB side runout, variant 1
(PB9575)-A-1 BOW 6 A3 TOWNHOUSEA side runout, variant 2
BOW 6 (PB9575)-B-1 A3 TOWNHOUSEB side runout, variant 2
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 103671First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA Victor 103671First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Belgium | RCA PB-9575 / RCA Victor PB-9575First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB-9575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Brazil | RCA 101.4106First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Brazil | RCA 101.4106First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA PB-12078First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA PB-12078First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | RCA PB 9575 / RCA Victor PB 9575First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | France | RCA PB 9575 / RCA Victor PB 9575First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PC 9631First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA PB 9575 / RCA Victor PB 9575First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 9575First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA PC 9631 / RCA 26.2002812", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Japan | RCA SSD 3011First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Spain | EMI 006 12 2356 77", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo · Promo, Limited, Numbered | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Numbered, Promo · Promo, Limited, Numbered |
42 vinyl pressings of Ashes To Ashes are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1980 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is RCA BOW6, released August 1, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BOW6, PB 9575, PB-12078, DJL1-3795) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB 9575-A-2 BODO 6 AIH [Etched] TOWNHOUSE [stamped] and PB 9575-B-2 A2M .W. [Etched] TOWNHOUSE [stamped]. 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.
