Vinyl pressings
by George Benson · 1979
Love Ballad 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.
28 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 14 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.
WBS-8759 WNY-1724-V1-S - LW1 · TML-S 1 ✲Scribed in runout A [TML ✲ and 1 are stamped]
WBS-8759 WNY-1718-S - LW1·TML-S 1 ✲Scribed in runout B [TML ✲ and 1 are stamped]
WBS-8759 WNY-1724-V1-S - WW1 TML-M —◁A side deadwax
WBS-8759 WNY-1718-S - JW1 TML-MB side deadwax
WBS-8759 WNY-1724-V1-S- SR1 SRC TML-SScribed in runout A [SRC & TML are stamped]
WBS-8759 WNY-1718-S- SR1 SRC TML -X 1-2Scribed in runout B [SRC & TML are stamped]
WBS-8759 WNY-1724-V1-S- SP1 TML-S 751G6A Side runout etched / except 'TML-S' stamped / '751G6' etched backwards
WBS-8759 WNY-1718-S- SP1 TML-S 751G5B Side runout etched / except 'TML-S' stamped / '751G5' etched backwards
WBS-8759 WNY-1724-V1-S- M1 TML-M MR ∆105791Scribed in runout A [TML stamped]
WBS-8759 WNY-1718-S- M1 TML-M MR ∆105792Scribed in runout B [TML stamped]
WBS-8759 WNY-1724-V1-S- A1 R-4215 TML-M
WBS-8759 WNY-1718-V1-S- A1 R-4214 TML-M
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 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Belgium | Warner Bros. Records WB 17 333First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.122First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | France | Warner Bros. Records 17 355First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-395WFirst year7", 45 RPM, EP, Single | 7", 45 RPM, EP, Single |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Panama | Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1842 / Hispavox 45-1842 (SN)First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17333 (T) / Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1979 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17333First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17333 (T) / Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759First year12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1979 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 17333First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of Love Ballad are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Austria, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 8759.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 8759, PRO-A- 797, K 17333 (T), K 17333) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-8759 WNY-1724-V1-S - LW1 · TML-S 1 ✲ and WBS-8759 WNY-1718-S - LW1·TML-S 1 ✲. 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.
