Vinyl pressings
by King · 1985
Bitter Sweet was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1985, 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.
01-86320-5A-1Runout side A, variant 1
01-86320-1B-1Runout side B, variant 1
01-86320-5A-1 ARunout side A, variant 2
01-86320-2B-1 ARunout side B, variant 2
CBS 86320 A9Runout side A, hand-etched
CBS 86320 B6Runout side B, hand-etched
CBS 86320 A8Runout side A, hand-etched (variant)
CBS 86320 B4Runout side B, hand-etched (variant)
CBS 86320 A8Runout side A, variant 1
CBS 86320 B3 ARUNRunout side B, variant 1
CBS 86320 A9 ARunout side A, variant 2
CBS 86320-B3 D ARUNRunout side B, variant 2
MX216763Side A label
MX216764Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | CBS SBP 8135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Epic 141.810First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | Epic 144.870First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBS 86320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | CBS CBS 86320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Ireland | CBS CBS 86320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 8135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Philippines | Epic QEL-25122 / CBS CBS 86320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | CBS S 86320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | CBS CBS 86320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | CBS CBS 86320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Zimbabwe | CBS ASF 3102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Epic FE 40322LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Epic BFE 40322 / Epic E 40322LP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of Bitter Sweet are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is CBS CBS 86320.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 86320, SBP 8135, 141.810, 144.870) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01-86320-5A-1 and 01-86320-1B-1. 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.
