Vinyl pressings
by Gordon Lightfoot · 1978
Endless Wire 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.
24 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
BSK-1-3149 JW1 #1Runout A (Variant 1)
BSK-2-3149 JW1 #1Runout B (Variant 1)
BSK-3149 JW2 #3 0Runout A (Variant 2)
SUB BSK-2-3149 JW 2 #1 0Runout B (Variant 2)
BSK-1-3149 LW3 #64# (64 Scratched Out) (◁23833 Scratched Out) △23283(2)Side A, Variant 1 - Etched
2 (Sideways) ✲Side A, Variant 1 - Stamped
BSK-2-3149 LW2..#64 (64 Scratched Out) ◁23283-X C27Side B, Variant 1 - Etched
1 (Sideways) ✲Side B, Variant 1 - Stamped
BSK-1-3149 G-1 GOLRunout Side 1 etch
BSK-2-3149 G-1 GOLRunout Side 2 etch
BSK-1-3149 SM 1 B1 S 1Runout A, variant 1
BSK-2-3149 SM 1 A8 S 1Runout B, variant 1
BSK-1-3149 SM 1 A4 S 1Runout A, variant 2
BSK-1-3149 SM 1 A2 S 1Runout B, variant 2
BSK-1-3149-1PRC-1-1Side A - Etched
BSK-2-3149-1-11-1PRC-1-1Side B - Etched
BSK-1-3149 WW 1 —◁Runout side A etched, variant 1
BSK-2-3149 WW # 2 —◁Runout side B etched, variant 1
BSK-1-3149 WW1 #3 —◁Runout side A etched, variant 2
BSK-2-3149 WW1 #4 —◁Runout side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36.053First yearLP, Advance, Album, Stereo | LP, Advance, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records KBS 3149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 444 / Warner Bros. Records BSK-3149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 444 / Warner Bros. Records BSK 3149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | India | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56444First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56444First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10466WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10466WFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56444 / Warner Bros. Records BSK-3149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Reprise Records RRC 2238First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records S 90.004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 56444First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records KBS 3149LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records KBS 3149LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 444 / Warner Bros. Records BSK 3149LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3149LP, Album | LP, Album |
30 vinyl pressings of Endless Wire are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3149, released January 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3149, K 56444, 36.053, KBS 3149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3149 JW1 #1 and BSK-2-3149 JW1 #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.
