Vinyl pressings
by John Sebastian · 1976
Welcome Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 11 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.
M-S-1-2249-WW-1#3 ⑤Variant 1, side A runout
MS-2-2249-WW-1 ⑤Variant 1, side B runout
M-S-1-2249-WW-1 #2 ⑤ ─◁Variant 2, side A runout
MS-2-2249- WW-1 ─◁ ⑤Variant 2, side B runout
M-S-1-2249-LW-1 ① 2 ✻Runout A, variant 1
MS-2-2249-LW-1 ① ✻Runout B, variant 1
M-S-1-2249-LW-1 ① 2 ✻Runout A, variant 2
M-S-2-2249-LW-2 ② ✻Runout B, variant 2
M-S-1-2249-JW-1 ③ #1Side A runout etched. Variant 1
MS-2-2249-JW-2 #3 ④Side B runout etched. Variant 1
SVB M-S-1-2249-JW-1 ③ #1Side A runout etched. Variant 2
MS-2-2249-JW-1 #2 ③Side B runout etched. Variant 2
M-S-1-2249-LW-1 ① 1 ✻A Side Etched, except ✻ Stamped
MS-2-2249-LW-2 1 ② ✻B Side Etch, except ✻ Stamped
MX180459 MS2249-1stamped side 1 runout
MX180460 MS2249-2stamped side 2 runout
MX180459side 1 label
MX180460side 2 label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 54 074 / Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Israel | Reprise Records K 54074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Reprise Records P-10200RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Negram REP 54074 / Reprise Records MS-2249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Philippines | Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | South Africa | Reprise Records RRC 2219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Reprise Records K 54074First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Reprise Records K 54074LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Reprise Records MS 2249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Reprise Records 34 010LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Taiwan | Union TD-1801LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
17 vinyl pressings of Welcome Back are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Reprise Records MS 2249, released April 19, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MS 2249, K 54074, REP 54 074, P-10200R) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M-S-1-2249-WW-1#3 ⑤ and MS-2-2249-WW-1 ⑤. 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.
