Vinyl pressings
by Lou Reed · 1979
The Bells was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
28 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 16 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.
AB 4229 SA CS1 B2 STERLING S1Side A etched 'STERLING' stamped
AB 4229 SB CS1 A3 STERLING S2Side B etched 'STERLING' stamped
AB 4229 SA CS1 STERLING S1Side A etched 'STERLING' stamped (variant)
AB 4229 SB CS2 STERLING S2Side B etched 'STERLING' stamped (variant)
AB 4229 SA CP1 STERLINGSide A runout, etched [stamped: sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ], variant 1
AB 4229 SB CP1 STERLINGSide B runout, etched [stamped: sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ], variant 1
AB 4229 SA CP2 STERLINGSide A runout, etched [stamped: sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ], variant 2
AB 4229 SA CP1 STERLINGSide B runout, etched [stamped: sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ], variant 2
T1 AB 4229 SA CT1 STERLINGSide 1 etched Sterling stamped
T2 AB 4229 SB CT2 STERLINGSide 1 etched Sterling stamped
T2 AB 4229 SB CT1 STERLINGSide 2 etched Sterling stamped
AB 4229 SA H1 HUB STERLINGSide A runout etched (Sterling stamped)
AB 4229 SB H1 HUB STERLINGSide B runout etched (Sterling stamped)
AB 4229 SASide A label
AB 4229 SBSide B label
SD-16618-A1 jg2 EDPSide A label
SD-16618-B1 jg2 EDPSide B label
AB 4229 SA cs 1
AB 4229 SB cs 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Arista AL 4229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Belgium | Arista 4C 064-62630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | Arista 31C 064 62630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Arista AB 4229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Arista AB 4229First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Arista 2C 070 62630First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Arista 201142LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Germany | Arista 1C 064-62 630 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-62 630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Arista 201 142First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany, Austria, & Switzerland | Arista 064 62630LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Greece | Arista 14C 062-62630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Greece | Arista 1093LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Italy | Arista ARS 39019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | Arista 3C 064-62630First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Arista ARS 25007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | Arista I-201.142 / Arista I-201142LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Portugal | Arista 11C 072-62 630LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Spain | Arista 5B 201142 / Arista I-201 142LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
36 vinyl pressings of The Bells are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Arista AB 4229, released April 20, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 4229, SD 16618, SPART 1093, AL 4229) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB 4229 SA CS1 B2 STERLING S1 and AB 4229 SB CS1 A3 STERLING S2. 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.
