Vinyl pressings
by Ronnie Montrose · 1978
Open Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BSK-1-3134 (RE-1)-WW3 #3 · ─◁Side A runout, variant 1
BSK-2-3134 (RE-1)-WW1 · ─◁Side B runout, variant 1
BSK-1-3134 (RE-1)-WW3 · ─◁Side A runout, variant 2
BSK-2-3134 (RE-1)-WW1 · ─◁Side B runout, variant 2
BSK-1-3134 (RE-1) JW2 #1 0Side A etched, 0 stamped - variant 1
BSK-2-3134 (RE-1) JW1 #2 0Side B etched, 0 stamped - variant 1
BSK-1-3134 (RE-1) JW1 #1 0Side A etched, 0 stamped - variant 2
BSK-2-3134 (RE-1) JW2 #2 0Side B etched, 0 stamped - variant 2
BSK-1-3134 (RE-1)-LW1 ✲Side A, etched, Variant 1
BSK-2-3134 (RE-1)-LW1 ✲Side B, etched, Variant 1
BSK-1-3134 (RE-1)-LW2 ✲Side A, etched, Variant 2
BSK-2-3134 (RE-1)-LW1 ✲Side B, etched, Variant 2
MX185149 BSK-3134-1Side A Runout Etched
MX185150-B BSK-3134-2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3134First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records 36069First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records KBS 3134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Warner Bros. Records 56451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10451WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10451WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3134LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3134LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3134LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
12 vinyl pressings of Open Fire are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3134.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3134, 36069, KBS 3134, 56451) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3134 (RE-1)-WW3 #3 · ─◁ and BSK-2-3134 (RE-1)-WW1 · ─◁. 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.
