Vinyl pressings
by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson · 1977
Bridges was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SIDE A E' \ S AB-4147-SA CRP ① Kendun VRunout side A, variant 1
C SIDE ONE \ S AB-4147-SB CRP ① SXT Kendun VRunout side B, variant 1
\ S AB-4147-SA CRP ① Kendun V SXT C SIDE ARunout side A, variant 2
S AB-4147-SB CRP ② SXT Kendun V B SIDE ONE 2Runout side B, variant 2
33 AB-4147-SA -MC- Kendun Ⅴ SIDE AEtched A
33 AB-4147-SB M.C. Kendun Ⅴ SIDE ONEEtched B
AB 4147 SALabel A
AB 4147 SBLabel B
1 S AB-4147-SA CRP ⑧ Kendun V SIDE A D XSSide A runout, variant 1
1 S AB-4147-SB CRP ② Kendun V C SIDE ONE CSide B runout, variant 1
1 S AB-4147-SA CRP ① SX Kendun V SIDE A D5Side A runout, variant 2
1 S AB-4147-SB CRP ③ Kendun V D SIDE ONE XSSide B runout, variant 2
SIDE A E' \ S AB-4147-SA CRP ① Kendun VRunout side A, variant 1
C SIDE ONE \ S AB-4147-SB CRP ① SXT Kendun VRunout side B, variant 1
\ S AB-4147-SA CRP ① Kendun V SXT C SIDE ARunout side A, variant 2
S AB-4147-SB CRP ② SXT Kendun V B SIDE ONE 2Runout side B, variant 2
1 S AB-4147- SA CRP① Kendun Ⅴ SXT SIDE ARunout, Side 1
S AB-4147- SB CRP② SXT Kendun Ⅴ B SIDE ONERunout, Side 2
AB 4147 SALabel, Side 1
AB 4147 SBLabel, Side 2
SPARTY 1031 A //1 TO L 2 2
SPARTY 1031 B //1 TO L 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AB-4147First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | France | Arista 2C068-60053 / Arista 2C 068 - 60.053First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Arista SPARTY 1031 / Arista SPARTY 1031*First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4147First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4147LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Australia | Arista AB-4147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Arista AB 4147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Arista AB 4147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | US | Arista AB 4147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Arista AL-4147LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Arista ALB6-8378LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Arista AB-4147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
17 vinyl pressings of Bridges are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Arista AB 4147, released December 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 4147, SPARTY 1031, AB-4147, 2C068-60053) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SIDE A E' \ S AB-4147-SA CRP ① Kendun V and C SIDE ONE \ S AB-4147-SB CRP ① SXT Kendun V. 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.
