Vinyl pressings
by Marc Almond · 1988
Bitter-Sweet was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 5 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.
12R 6194 A - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 DRunout side A, variant 1
12 R 6194 A - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 DRunout side B, variant 1
12R 6194 A-1-1-2 DRunout side A, variant 2
12 R 6194 B-1-1-1 DRunout side B, variant 2
12R 6194 A-1-1-1runout side A - variant 1
12 R 6194 B-1-1-1runout side B - variant 1
12R 6194 A-1-1-2 Drunout side A - variant 2
12 R 6194 B-1-1-1 Drunout side B - variant 2
12RX 6194 A - 1 - 1 - 1 Penthouserunout side A
12 RX 6194 B - 1 - 1 - 1 Drunout side B
RC - 6194 - A ORLAKERunout etched side A
RC - 6194 - B ORLAKERunout etched side B
R 6194ALabel side A
R 6194BLabel side B
12 RS 6194 A-1-1- DSide A runout groove, stamped
12RS 6194ASide A 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 060-20 3029 6 / Some Bizzare K 060-20 3029 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 006-20 3028 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone K 060 2030756 / Parlophone 20 3075 6First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 006-20302877", Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Europe | Parlophone 203075612", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | Parlophone 052 2030296 / Some Bizzare 12R 6194First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1988 | Italy | Parlophone 14 2030296First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | Italy | Parlophone 06 2030287First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Philippines | Parlophone PAL-61219First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | Philippines | Parlophone EP-PAL-84x029First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone 12RX 6194 / Parlophone 12RX6194First year12", Single, 45 RPM | 12", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone RC 6194 / Some Bizzare RC 6194First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone 12RS 6194 / Some Bizzare 12RS 6194First year12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Etched | 12", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Etched |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone RG 6194 / Some Bizzare RG 6194First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1988 | UK | Parlophone 12RX 6194 / EMI-Manhattan Records 12RX6194First year12", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
18 vinyl pressings of Bitter-Sweet are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, Europe, Greece, Italy and more. One of them is Parlophone 12RG 6194, released October 24, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 12RG 6194, R 6194, 12R 6194, 12RX 6194) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 12R 6194 A - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 D and 12 R 6194 A - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 D. 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.
