Vinyl pressings
by Larry Carlton · 1980
Strikes Twice was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BSK-1-3380 LW4A Side Etched (Variant 1)
BSK-1-3380 LW3A Side Etched (Variant 2)
BSK-2-3380 LW4B Side Etched (Variant 1 & 2)
1A Side Stamped (Variant 2)
BSK-1-3380 JW3 #2 0Side A Runout Etched, Except 0 Stamped
BSK-2-3380 JW4 #2 0Side B Runout Etched, Except 0 Stamped
BSK-1-3380 JW3 #1(Variant 1, Side A Etched)
BSK-2-3380 JW3 #1(Variant 1, Side B Etched)
BSK-1-3380 WW2 • —◁runout side A etched
BSK-1-3380 WW1 • —◁runout side B etched
BSK-1-3380 WW4 SP —◁ 1-1runout side A
BSK-1-3380 WW6 SP 1-1 —◁runout side B
BSK-1-3380 LW4 · ✲✲Side A, etched , ✲✲ stamped
BSK-1-3380 LW5 · ✲✲Side B, etched, ✲✲ stamped
MX196453 BSK 3380-1 OttoA Side Etched
MX 196454 BSK 3380-2 OttoB Side Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 723 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56723First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 723 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56723First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 723 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56723First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10649WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10649WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 723 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56723First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3380First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3380First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 723 / Warner Bros. Records K 56 723LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 723 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56723LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 723 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56723LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Scandinavia | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 723 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56723LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Strikes Twice are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Germany, Japan and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3380.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3380, WB 56 723, P-10649W) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3380 LW4 and BSK-1-3380 LW3. 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.
