Vinyl pressings
by Rod Stewart · 1981
How Long was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
WBS-50051-ZCA-1376-S-SRI SP I - 1 PrecisionSide A runout
WBS-50051-ZCA-1381-S-SRI SP I - 2 Precision D.L.Side B runout
(ZCA 1376S)Side A label
(ZCA 1381S)Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 16.223First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records KWBS 50051First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records PRO 50051First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Riva RIVA 35First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records WBS 50051First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 50051 / Warner Bros. Records WBS50051First year7", Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1982 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 500517", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | Peru | Warner Bros. Records F-WBR 0050051.77", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Peru | Warner Bros. Records F-WBR 0050051.77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Riva RIVA 357", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 500517", Single, Styrene | 7", Single, Styrene |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS500517", Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Warner Bros. Records WBS 50051 / Warner Bros. Records WBS500517", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of How Long are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Brazil, Canada, Ireland and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WBS 50051.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WBS 50051, 16.223, KWBS 50051, RIVA 35) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WBS-50051-ZCA-1376-S-SRI SP I - 1 Precision and WBS-50051-ZCA-1381-S-SRI SP I - 2 Precision D.L.. 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.
