Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1956
Die Kunst Der Fuge - BWV 1080 was first pressed on vinyl in 1956. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1956, the album's first year. 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.
14077-2 A 14600-2 A 1 02 -/W B Made in GermanyA Side - Runout
14077-2 B 14600-2 B 2F1 - /W Made in GermanyB Side - Runout
14078-2 A 14601-2 A 1 02 -/W C F B Made in GermanyC Side - Runout
14078-3 B 14601-3 B 1 02 -/W B Y Made in GermanyD Side - Runout
14077 A / 14600 A / 0 33 138 TS / K6 / Made in GermanyA Side - Runout
14077 B / 14600 B / X 0 33 139 TS / K6 / Made in GermanyB Side - Runout
14078 A / K 6 / 033140 TS / Made in GermanyC Side - Runout
14078 B / M 6 / 0331412 TS / Made in GermanyD Side - Runout
X 198 006=4 A X 198 600=4 A 1M6 V XRunout, LP 1 side A, stamped
X 198 006=4 B 1M6 VZRunout, LP 1 side B, stamped
00 198 007=8 A G70 Z1 VNRunout, LP 2 side A, stamped
00 198 007=8B 00 198 600=8B M6 z A CRunout, LP 2 side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Germany | Archiv Produktion 14077/78First yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | Archiv Produktion 14077/78 APMFirst yearLP, Mono, Box Set · Mono | LP, Mono, Box Set · Mono |
| 1956 | Germany | Archiv Produktion SAPM 198 006/007First yearBox Set, Deluxe Edition, LP | Box Set, Deluxe Edition, LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Germany | Archiv Produktion 198006/7Box Set, LP, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Archiv Produktion 198006/7Box Set, Reissue, LP, Stereo | Box Set, Reissue, LP, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Archiv Produktion 198006/7LP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Archiv Produktion 2708 002Box Set, LP, Reissue, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Archiv Produktion 2708 002Box Set, LP, Reissue, Stereo | Box Set, LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Archiv Produktion 2708 002LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Germany | Archiv Produktion 2708 002LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set |
| ? | Japan | Archiv Produktion MAF 8007/8LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Archiv Produktion SLAM-7/8LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| ? | US | Archive Production ARC 3082/83 / Archiv Produktion 14600/601Box Set, LP, Mono · Mono | Box Set, LP, Mono · Mono |
13 vinyl pressings of Die Kunst Der Fuge - BWV 1080 are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1956 and 1960.
The earliest pressings are from 1956, in Germany. One of them is Archiv Produktion 14077/78.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 14077/78, 14077/78 APM, SAPM 198 006/007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 14077-2 A 14600-2 A 1 02 -/W B Made in Germany and 14077-2 B 14600-2 B 2F1 - /W Made in Germany. 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.
