Vinyl pressings
by Jo Jo Gunne · 1973
Bite Down Hard was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 13 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.
STAS-732733-BBB-1-11 PR STERLING LH/2A-side runout, variant 1
STAS-732734AAA-1-11 D STERLING LH 2 "You Got "er Babe"B-side runout, variant 1
ST-AS-732733-AAA -1-11 PR D STERLING LH 2A-side runout, variant 2
STAS-732734AAA-1 PR D STERLING LH 2 "You Got "er Babe"B-side runout, variant 2
ST AS-732733-B PR STERLING LH 2Runout side A, variant 1
ST AS-732734B PR STERLING LH 2 'You Got 'Er Babe'Runout side B, variant 1
ST AS-732733-A PR STERLING LH 2Runout side A, variant 2
ST AS-732734B PR STERLING LH 2 'You Got 'Er Babe'Runout side B, variant 2
STAS-732733LBB MR △17666 (4) PR STERLINGVariant 1, side A runout
ST-AS-732734BB MR △17666-X (1) PR STERLING "You Got 'er Babe"Variant 1, side B runout
STAS-732733-BB MR △17666 (1) PR STERLING 2 LHVariant 2, side A runout
STAS-732734A1 MR △17666-X (2) PR STERLING 2 LH "YoU GoT 'Er Babe"Variant 2, side B runout
SYL 9005 A-1Runout A-side, stamped
SYL 9005 B-1Runout B-side, stamped
SYL.9005ALabel A-side, in parentheses
SYL.9005BLabel B-side, in parentheses
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Brazil | Asylum Records SAYL 3002First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Denmark | Asylum Records 6E 062 94240 / Asylum Records 5C 062-94 240First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | Asylum Records 2C 064 - 94240 / Asylum Records 2C 064 - 94.240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Asylum Records 1C 062-94 240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Asylum Records IAP-80811First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | Asylum Records IAP-80811First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Asylum Records 5C 062-94240First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Asylum Records 5C 062-94240LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1973 | South Africa | Asylum Records LAYJ505First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Asylum Records 1J 062-94 240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Australia | Asylum Records SYL-9005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Asylum Records SD 5065First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Asylum Records 3C 064-94240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Asylum Records SYL 9005 / Asylum Records 0C 062 ◦ 94240First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Asylum Records SD 5065First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Asylum Records SD 5065LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Bite Down Hard are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Asylum Records SD 5065, released June 5, 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 5065, SYL 9005, SYL-9005, 3C 064-94240) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STAS-732733-BBB-1-11 PR STERLING LH/2 and STAS-732734AAA-1-11 D STERLING LH 2 "You Got "er Babe". 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.
