Vinyl pressings
by Eric Clapton · 1978
Backless was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
58 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 24 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.
RS-1-3039-AS- LONDON-3 TML-S RSD 5001 A//3 E MLRunout variant 1, side A
RS-1-3039-BS LONDON-3 TML-S RSD 5001 B//3 E MLRunout variant 1, side B
RS-1-3039-AS- LONDON-3 TML-S RSD 5001 A//3 E ML 1 3 1Runout variant 2, side A
RS-1-3039-BS LONDON-3 TML-S RSD 5001 B//3 E ML 11 1Runout variant 2, side B
RSD 5001 A//3 E ML RS-1-3039 AS LONDON - 3 TML-S
RSD 5001 B//3 E ML RS-1-3039 BS LONDON - 2 TML-M
(RS-1-3039 A) 2394 213A - Label
(RS-1-3039 B) 2394 213B - Label
RS-1-3039-AS AL-2 TML-SSide 1
RS-1-3039-BS AL-2 TML-SSide 2
RS-1-3039-AS AL-1 TML-MRunout Side A (Variant 1)
RS-1-3039-BS AL-2 TML-SRunout Side B (Variant 1)
RS-1-3039-AS-SP4 TML-SRunout Side A (Variant 2)
RS-1-3039-BS SP3 TML-MRunout Side B (Variant 2)
RS-1-3039-AS CA3 TML-S Mo 77Runout side A, variant 1
RS-1-3039-BS CA2 TML-M M-1 77Runout side B, variant 1
RS-1-3039-AS CA3 TML-S M2 77Runout side A, variant 2
RS-1-3039-BS CA2 Mo TML-M 77Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | RSO 2394 213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | RSO 2394 213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia & New Zealand | Rainbow RLP 49962First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Austria | RSO 2394 213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RSO RS-1-3039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RSO RS-1-3039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RSO RS - 1 - 3039First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | Canada | RSO Records, Inc. RS - 1 - 3039First yearLP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1978 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | RSO 2394 213-18First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | RSO 2394 213First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | RSO 27 240-1 / RSO 2394 213LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | Germany | RSO 2394 213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | RSO 2394 213First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | RSO 2394 213 / RSO RS-1-3039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | RSO 2394 213First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2220105 / RSO 2394 213LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2220105 / RSO 2394 213LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2220105 / RSO 2394 213LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2220105 / RSO 2394 213LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1980 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2220105 / RSO 2394 213LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | RSO 23 94 213LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Brazil | RSO 2394 213LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Japan | RSO 18MW 0045LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Spain | RSO 813581-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Polydor 475 027-4LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Polydor 813 581-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2394 213LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RSO 2394 213LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | RSO 813 581-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Polydor 813 581-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Turkey | Pacific LP - 108 / Pacific 108LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | RSO SPELP 1 / RSO 813 581-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Polydor 813 581-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | RSO RS-1-3039LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | RSO RS-1-3039LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB 2220105 / RSO 2394 213LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
90 vinyl pressings of Backless are listed here, from 32 countries, released between 1978 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is RSO RSD 5001.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RSD 5001, RS-1-3039, MWF 1056, 2394 213) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RS-1-3039-AS- LONDON-3 TML-S RSD 5001 A//3 E ML and RS-1-3039-BS LONDON-3 TML-S RSD 5001 B//3 E ML. 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.
