Vinyl pressings
by Laurie Anderson · 1982
Big Science was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
45 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 21 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-1-3674-E2 MASTERDISK RLSide A, variant 1
BSK-2-3674-E3 MASTERDISK RL [EDP logo] MISF'SMISide B, variant 1
BSK-1-3674-E2 MASTERDISK RL 2 EDP-M1SFSSM3Side A, variant 2
BSK-2-3674-E3 #4 MASTERDISK RL [EDP logo] M1SFSSM12Side B, variant 2
BSK- 1-3674 - E 2 MASTERDISK RL ─◁Side A etched, variant 1
BSK 2 3674 WW 1 ─◁Side B etched, variant 1
BSK-1-3674 WW1 ─◁Side A etched, variant 2
BSK 2 3674 WW 1 ─◁Side B etched, variant 2
BSK-1-3674 WW1 #2 ----◁Side A etched, variant 1
BSK 2 3674 WW2 SP 1-2 ----◁Side B etched, variant 1
BSK-1-3674 WW1 #2 ----◁Side A etched, variant 2
BSK-2-3674 WW2 1-1 ----◁Side B etched, variant 2
BSK-1-3674-E2#3 MASTERDISK RL - ─◁ EDP-M1SF1SM7Side A, etched, Variant 1
BSK-2-3674-E3#3 MASTERDISK RL - ─◁ EDP M1SF1SM7Side B, etched, Variant 1
BSK-1-3674-E2 MASTERDISK RL ─◁ EDP-M1SF1SM2Side A, etched, Variant 2
BSK-2-3674-E3#4 MASTERDISK RL ─◁ EDP M1SF1SM6Side B, etched, Variant 2
K 570025 AEtched, side one
MASTERDISKStamped, side one
RLEtched, side one
BSK-1-3674-E2Etched and scratched out, side one
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | USA & Europe | Nonesuch 075597918069LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 26.081 / Warner Bros. Records 604.7027LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB K 57 002 / Warner Bros. Records K 57 002LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 57 002 / Warner Bros. Records BSK 3674LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3674LP, Album | LP, Album |
53 vinyl pressings of Big Science are listed here, from 22 countries, released between 1982 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, South Korea, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3674.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3674, K 57002, 26.081, XBS-3674) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3674-E2 MASTERDISK RL and BSK-2-3674-E3 MASTERDISK RL [EDP logo] MISF'SMI. 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.
