Vinyl pressings
by Hoodoo Gurus · 1985
Bittersweet was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 6 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.
CHOICE! Di & KELLY. BTS 1503-A DBSide A runout, etched
[Crocodile] [Kangaroo] [Platypus] BTS 1503-B DBSide B runout, etched
BTS 1503 ASide A label
BTS 1503 BSide B label
CHOICE! Di & KELLY. BTS 1503-A DBSide A runout etched
[Crocodile] [Kangaroo] [Platypus] BTS 1503-B DBSide B runout etched
BTS 1503 ASide A label
BTS 1503 BSide B label
CHS 122926 A//2 ▽420T 1 JASide A runout
CHS 1 22926 B //1▽420 T 1 1 1 JASide B runout
CHS 12 2926-ASide A label
CHS 12 2926-BSide B label
ELA - △ 110333 BTS I00I ARunout Side A [etched]
ELA - △ 110333X BTS I00I BRunout Side B [etched]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | Big Time BTS 1503 / Big Time BTS-1503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia | Big Time BTS-1503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Mercury Mer 101First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Mercury DJM 166First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | France | Chrysalis 884 479-7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | France | Chrysalis 884 479-1First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Scandinavia | Big Time BTS 1503First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 12 2926 / Big Time CHS 12 2926First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | UK | Chrysalis CHS 2926First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | Big Time BTE-1001First year12", Single, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Elektra 7-69544First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Big Time BTS 1001First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | US | Electrosound Los Angeles 10017", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 7-695447", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Elektra 7-695447", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
16 vinyl pressings of Bittersweet are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Australia, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is Big Time BTS 1503.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 1503, BTS-1503, CHS 12 2926, CHS 2926) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHOICE! Di & KELLY. BTS 1503-A DB and [Crocodile] [Kangaroo] [Platypus] BTS 1503-B DB. 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.
