Vinyl pressings
by Johann Sebastian Bach · 1977
The English Suites (Complete) was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 5 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.
o T MAL 34416-1C CRRunout A - variant 1
MBL 34416-1J I T A TRunout B - variant 1
o AL 34417-1H I T BRunout C - variant 1
MBL 34417-1AC I T oRunout D - variant 1
P MAL 34416-1L | ARunout Side A
P BL 34416-1BD | ARunout Side B
P MAL 34417-1D | ARunout Side C
P MBL 34417-1K | RRunout Side D
1A MX178829-B SBR235852-1Side A runout
1A MX178830-B SBR235852-2Side B runout
1A MX178831 SBR235853-3Side C runout
1A MX178832 SBR235853-4Side D runout
D 01-79208-1A-1 CBS 76571-A ASide A runout, stamped
01-79208-2B-1 ASide B runout, stamped
01-79208-2C-1 ASide C runout, stamped
01-79208-2D-1 ASide D runout, stamped
76571 ALabel A
76571 BLabel B
76572 ALabel C
76572 BLabel D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | CBS Masterworks S2BR 220348First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS Masterworks 79208 / CBS Masterworks 79 208First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS Masterworks 79208First yearLP, Box Set | LP, Box Set |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS Masterworks 79208First yearLP, Stereo, Box Set | LP, Stereo, Box Set |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS Masterworks 79 208First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 50AC 196~7First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2 34578First yearLP | LP |
| 1977 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2 34578First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia Masterworks M2 34578First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 46AC 645~6LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия 33 С 10—13103-06LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| 1982 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AC 1525~6LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Netherlands | CBS Masterworks M2 39682LP, Remastered, Box Set, Reissue | LP, Remastered, Box Set, Reissue |
| 1985 | USA & Europe | CBS Masterworks M2 39682LP, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Reissue | LP, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | CBS Masterworks 159.056-057/1-M2-34578 / CBS Masterworks 1-M2-34578LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia Masterworks M2 34578 / CBS Masterworks M2 34578LP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of The English Suites (Complete) are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1977 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Columbia Masterworks M2 34578.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M2 34578, S2BR 220348, 79208, 79 208) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o T MAL 34416-1C CR and MBL 34416-1J I T A T. 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.
