Vinyl pressings
by Izhar Cohen · 1978
A-Ba-Ni-Bi 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.
32 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 20 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.
POL 2056727 1 DU4 380 CIDIS DNRunout side A, variant 1
POL 2056727 2 DU4 380 CIDIS DNRunout side B, variant 1
POL 2056571 1 380 CIDIS 2056727Runout side A, variant 2
POL 2056727 2 380 CIDIS 2056727Runout side B, variant 2
POL 1 380 CIDIS 2056727Runout, side A, variant 1
POL 2 380 CIDIS2056727Runout, side B, variant 1
POL 2056 757 1 380 CIDIS 2056727Runout, side A, stamped & erased, variant 2
POL 2056 757 2 380 CIDIS2056727Runout, side B, stamped & erased, variant 2
EURO 1 A//2▽420 04 1 1 1 1 RCA side runout
EURO 1 B//2▽420 04 1 1 1 2B side runout
EURO 1 A // 2 ▽ 420 04 1 2 1 RCA-side runout
EURO 1 B // 1 ▽ 420 04 1 1 1B-side runout
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 | Polydor 2001 781First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Austria | Atom 238 115First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Austria | Atom 238.115 / Atom 238 115First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Belgium | Polydor 2056 727First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Belgium | Polydor 2056 727First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Finland | Polydor 2001. 781First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Finland | Polydor 2001. 781 / Polydor 2001 781First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2056 727First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2056 727First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2056 727First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2001 781First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2001 781First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2001 7817", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Greece | Polydor 2001 781First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Greece | International Polydor Production 2001 781First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
33 vinyl pressings of A-Ba-Ni-Bi are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in France, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Polydor 2056 727.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2056 727, 2001 781, 2001-781, PD 14492) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, POL 2056727 1 DU4 380 CIDIS DN and POL 2056727 2 DU4 380 CIDIS DN. 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.
