Vinyl pressings
by Earth Quake · 1976
8.5 was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 4 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.
BZ 0047A-IFSide A runout, variant 1
BZ 0047B-IESide B runout, variant 1
P BZ 0047A-IF 1 3ASide A runout, variant 2
P BZ 0047B-IF 1 1ASide B runout, variant 2
BZ 0047A-IB S 1 H0̸Side A Runout
BZ 0047B-IB S 1 TF12Side B Runout
BZ 0047A-ID lTSide A runout
BZ 0047B-IC lTSide B runout
BZ-0047A-S1Side 1, etched Variant 1
BZ-0047A-S2Side 2, etched Variant 1
BZ-0047A-S1 ̶9̶3̶1̶0̶-̶2̶0̶6̶1̶-̶S̶1̶Side 1, etched Variant 2
BZ-0047A-S2Side 2, etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Beserkley BZ-0047-VFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | BESERKLEY PB-2010First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Beserkley SUX- 172 - SEFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | BESERKLEY PB-2010First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Beserkley 530047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Beserkley BZ-0047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Beserkley BZ-0047First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Beserkley BZ-0047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | Beserkley BZZ 401 010 / Beserkley BZZ 401 010 ALP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Beserkley 6.23357 / Beserkley BZ - 0047LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Beserkley 6.23357 / Beserkley BZ - 0047LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Beserkley BSERK 5LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Beserkley BSERK 5LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Beserkley JBZ-0047LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Beserkley 9380-0047LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of 8.5 are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1976 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Canada, Japan, Netherlands. One of them is Beserkley BZ-0047.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BZ-0047, BZ-0047-V, SUX- 172 - SE, PB-2010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BZ 0047A-IF and BZ 0047B-IE. 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.
