Vinyl pressings
by Electric Light Orchestra · 1979
Don't Bring Me Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
51 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 19 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.
20-JET-503-1A-1 [Spiral logo]Runout A-side, variant 1
20-JET-503-1B-1 [Spiral logo]Runout B-side, variant 1
20-JET-503-1A-1 [Spiral logo]Runout A-side, variant 2
20-JET-503-1B-5 [Spiral logo]Runout B-side, variant 2
JET-503-1A-2 HXE 2 𐐃Runout side A, variant 1
JET-503-1B-2 𐐃 HXE [inv.: 7]Runout side B, variant 1
JET-503-1A-2 2 𐐃 HXERunout side A, variant 2
JET-503-1B-2 𐐃 2 HXERunout side B, variant 2
T ZS9-5060-3AE AZ ❀ T1111Side A runout etched, variant 1
ZS9 T Z̶S̶S̶-5060-4AE AZ T11Side B runout etched, variant 1
Z S 9 T I Z⃫S⃫8⃫-5060-3AE AZ ❀Side A runout etched, variant 2
ZS9 Z⃫S⃫8⃫-5060-4AF AZ T11Side B runout etched, variant 2
JET 153 A•6 STRAWBERRY. u.K.Runout side A, etched / stamped
JET 153 B-6 STRAWBERRY. u.K. AARunout side B, etched / stamped
JET-12 153-A-1 ∴ STRAWBERRYRunout, side A, variant 1
JET-12 153-B-1 STRAWBERRYRunout, side B, variant 1
JET-12 153-A-2 5 ∴ STRAWBERRYRunout, side A, variant 2
JET-12-153-B-2 3 ∴ STRAWBERRYRunout, side B, variant 2
JET.153 A2A Side Runout, variation 1
JET 1̶3̶5̶ .B3 JET.153.B3 STRAWBERRY ⋀B Side Runout, variation 1
JET.153 A1 STRAWBERRY ⋀A Side Runout, variation 2
JET.153.B1 STRAWBERRY ⋀B Side Runout, variation 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Epic 40.208First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Argentina | Epic 40.208First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Australia | Jet Records JS 009First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Jet Records ZS9 5060First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Costa Rica | Epic 45293First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Jet Records JET 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Jet Records JET 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Jet Records JET 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Jet Records JET 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Jet Records JET 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Jet Records JET 153First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Jet Records JET S 503 / Jet Records JET 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Jet Records JET S 503 / Jet Records JET 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Jet Records JET S 503 / Jet Records JET 503First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Jet Records JET S 503 / Jet Records JET 5037", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | France | Versailles SAMP 195712", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Poland | Tonpress R-1013Flexi-disc, 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc · Picture disc | Flexi-disc, 45 RPM, Shape, Single Sided, Card Backed, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
54 vinyl pressings of Don't Bring Me Down are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1979 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Europe, US, UK, Australia and more. One of them is Jet Records JET 503.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JET 503, ZS9 5060, S JET 153, JET 12 153) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 20-JET-503-1A-1 [Spiral logo] and 20-JET-503-1B-1 [Spiral logo]. 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.
