US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 2119
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
STERLINGA Side Stamped
STERLINGB Side Stamped
BR-2119 31510-1-1A RLA Side Etched [Variant 1]
BR-2119-X 31511-1-1A RLB Side Etched [Variant 1]
Vinyl pressings
Better Days
by Paul Butterfield · 1973
24 pressings8 countriesBlues
Better Days was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Better Days
18 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 7 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.
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 2119
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Terre Haute pressing, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
TI BR-2119 31510-1-1 RL STERLINGRunout Side A etched STERLING stamped
TI BR-2119 31511-1-1 STERLINGRunout Side B etched STERLING stamped
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 2119
- Format
- LP, Album · Gatefold, Pitman Pressing
- Runout / matrix
BR-2119 31510-1 X STERLING RL A D PA Side etch; STERLING A D P stamped - variant 1
BR-2119-X 31511-1 X STERLING 2 A RLB Side etch; STERLING A stamped - variant 1
P BR-2119 31510-1 STERLING RLA Side etch; STERLING, P stamped - variant 2
BR-2119 31511-1 STERLING RL AB Side etch; STERLING, A stamped - variant 2
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 2119
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Santa Maria press
- Runout / matrix
S Ƨ BR-2119 31510-1-1A STERLING RLRunout side A
S X BR-2119- ̷3̷1̷5̷1̷0̷ -X 31511-1-1A STERLING RLRunout side B
31,510Label side A
31,511Label side A
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 2119
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo · Jacksonville, Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
BR-1-2119 JW-1#1 0Runout Side A etched STERLING stamped
BR-2-2119 JW-1#1 0Runout Side B etched STERLING stamped
US
1973- Label and catalog number
- Bearsville BR 2119
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · Gatefold
- Runout / matrix
S 2 BR-2119 31510-1-1A STERLING RLRunout side A
\ S BR-2119- 31510-X 31511-1-1A STERLING RLRunout side B
31,510Label side A
31,511Label side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 24 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s20 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Festival Records L36984 / Bearsville BR 2119First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Australia | Bearsville BR-2119First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Bearsville BR 2119First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Bearsville BR 2119First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Bearsville BEA 45 515First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Bearsville BEA 45 515First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Bearsville P-8319W / Warner Bros. Records P-8319WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Bearsville P-8319W / Warner Bros. Records P-8319WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-8319WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-8319WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 2119 / Bearsville WBS 2119First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | Bearsville K 45515First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Bearsville BR 2119First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Bearsville BR 2119First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Bearsville BR 2119First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
1990s1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Sequel Records NEXLP 127LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Bearsville BR 2119LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Bearsville RNLP 70877 / Rhino Records RNLP 70877LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Bearsville BR 2119LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1New Walkin Blues4:54
- A2Please Send Me Someone To Love5:09
- A3Broke My Baby's Heart5:09
- A4Done A Lot Of Wrong Things3:52
- B1Baby Please Don't Go3:28
- B2Buried Alive In The Blues3:44
- B3Rule The Road4:13
- B4Nobody's Fault But Mine3:37
- B5Highway 283:10
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Better Days are there?
24 vinyl pressings of Better Days are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1973 and 1990.
When was Better Days first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Bearsville BR 2119.
How do I tell if my copy of Better Days is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BR 2119, K 45515, L36984, BR-2119) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING and STERLING. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Better Days on vinyl worth?
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.