Vinyl pressings
by Motörhead · 1979
Bomber 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.
8 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
['Lyre' symbol] BRO 85 A-1U 2Side A (Stamped except 'Lyre')
['Lyre' symbol] BRO 85 B-1U 2Side B (Stamped except 'Lyre')
BRO 85-APrinted Label A
BRO 85-BPrinted Label B
BRO 85 A-1U ƱSide A runout, variant 1
BRO 85 B-1U ƱSide B runout, variant 1
BRO 85 A-1U 9 1 ƱSide A runout, variant 2
BRO 85 B-1U 1 0 1 ƱSide B runout, variant 2
BRO 85 A-1U ƱSide A runout, variant 1
BRO 85 B-1U ƱSide B runout, variant 1
BRO 85 A-1U 0 2 1 ƱSide A runout, variant 2
BRO 85 B-1U G 1 ƱSide B runout, variant 2
Printed Label ABRO 85-A
Printed Label BBRO 85-B
Side A (Stamped except 'Lyre')['Lyre' symbol] BRO 85 A-1U
BRO 85 A-1U ƱSide A runout, stamped / etched
BRO 85 B-1U ƱSide B runout, stamped / etched
BRO 85-ASide A label
BRO 85-BSide B label
SMX 55593 346 P2ASide A runout, etched
SMX 55594 312 P2ASide B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Bronze K7721 / Bronze BRO-85First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Ireland | Bronze BRO 85First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | Portugal | Bronze 5000 085First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze BRO 85First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze BRO 85First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze BRO 85First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze BRO 85First year7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | UK | Bronze BRO 85First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Italy | Earmark 41032-47", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Bronze BRO 857", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Bomber are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1979 and 2004.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, Australia, Ireland, Portugal. One of them is Bronze BRO 85, released November 30, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRO 85, K7721, 5000 085) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ['Lyre' symbol] BRO 85 A-1U 2 and ['Lyre' symbol] BRO 85 B-1U 2. 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.
