Vinyl pressings
by Jaco Pastorius · 1981
Word Of Mouth was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 10 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-1-3535-JW2 #2 0Runout side A, variant 1
BSK-2-3535-JW3 #1 0Runout side B, variant 1
BSK-1-3535-JW2 #2 0Runout side A, variant 2
BSK-2-3535-JW2 #1 0Runout side B, variant 2
BSK-1-3535-WW1#2 ・ ----►etched Side 1
BSK-2-3535 WW3 ・----►etched Side 2
BSK-1-3535-WW1 #2 SP 1-1 •----◄A Side
BSK-2-3535-SR1 1-1 SRCB Side
BSK-1-3535-S1 ＋ SLM ＋ △678 B-15798-S1Runout Side A
BSK-2-3535-S2 ＋ SLM ＋ △678-X B-15799-S2Runout Side B
BSK-1-3535-WW1 #2 • ─◁Runout Side A, variant 1
BSK-2-3535 WW3 • ─◁ #2Runout Side B, variant 1
BSK-1-3535-WW3 • ─◁ #2Runout Side A, variant 2
BSK-2-3535 WW3 • ─◁ #2Runout Side B, variant 2
BSK 1 3535 JW1 SP 1 4 SP-AR B-15198 JW1 △ 19301Runout Side A -Etched-
0Runouts Side A And B -Stamped-
BSK 2-3535-JW2 SP (scratch) 2 0-△19301-1 B-15199 JW1Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 897 / Warner Bros. Records BSK 3535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 897 / Warner Bros. Records BSK 3535First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 897First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-11009WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records MOVLP1260 / Music On Vinyl MOVLP1260LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2019 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records WPJR-10066LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Argentina | Warner Records 328998LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Rhino Records RHF1 3535 / Rhino Records 081227827076LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1260 / Warner Records MOVLP1260LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
36 vinyl pressings of Word Of Mouth are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Japan, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3535.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3535, P-11009W, XBS 3535, WB 56 897) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3535-JW2 #2 0 and BSK-2-3535-JW3 #1 0. 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.
