Vinyl pressings
by Merle Haggard · 1980
Bar Room Buddies 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.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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.
ES-46634 A-1 AR R-5473 KENDUN-A JGRunout side A
ES-46634 A-1 AR R-5474 KENDUN-ARunout side B
E-46634-AA-side label
E-46634-BB-side label
ES-46634 A-1 AR R-5473 KENDUN-A JG 0-1 S M1-1A side runout
ES-46634 B-1 AR R-5474 KENDUN-A 0-1 S M2-1B side runout
ES-45114-A 0-15M1-1 AR R-5473 KENDUN-A JGRunout Side A
ES-45114-B AR R-5474 KENDUN-ARunout Side B
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 | Elektra E 46634First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra E 46634First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra E 46634First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Elektra K 12461First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | Elektra E-46634First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Elektra E-46634First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Elektra E-45114First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Elektra E-46634First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Elektra E-46634First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Elektra E-46634First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Bar Room Buddies are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is Elektra E-46634.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use E-46634, E-45114, K 12461, E 46634) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ES-46634 A-1 AR R-5473 KENDUN-A JG and ES-46634 A-1 AR R-5474 KENDUN-A. 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.
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