Vinyl pressings
by Ry Cooder · 1980
Borderline 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.
28 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 16 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-1-3489 WW2 #2 • —◁Runout side A, variant 1
BSK-2-3489 WW3 #2 • —◁Runout side B, variant 1
BSK-1-3489 WW2 # 3 • —◁Runout side A, variant 2
BSK-2-3489 WW2 • —◁Runout side B, variant 2
BSK-1-3489 WW2 #2 SP 1-2 • —◁Side 1 - Hand Etched
BSK-2-3489 JW1Side 2 - Hand Etched
BSK-1-3489 WW2 #2 SP 1-2 • —◁Side A Variant 2 Etched
BSK-2-3489 WW3 #3 SP 1-1 • —◁Side B Variant 2 Etched
BSK-1-3489 LW3 •etched in runout A side
BSK-2-3489 LW3 • 3etched in runout B side
✲ ✲stamped in both A&B sides
BSK 3489label A&B sides
BSK-1-3489 S1 + SLM + Δ 522 B-15369Side A runout
BSK-2-3489 S1 + + Δ 522-X B-15370Side B runout
BSK-1-3489 JW1 0Side 1 runout etched (0 stamped) variant 1
BSK-2-3489 JW1 0Side 2 runout etched (0 stamped) variant 1
BSK-1-3489 JW1 #3 0Side 1 runout etched (0 stamped) variant 2
BSK-2-3489 JW1 #1 0Side 2 runout etched (0 stamped) variant 2
BSK-1-3489 WW2 #2 • —◁Runout side A
BSK-2-3489 WW3 #2 • —◁Runout 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 | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Belgium | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Belgium | Not On LabelLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 864LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 864 / Warner Bros. Music BSK 3489First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 864 / Warner Bros. Records BSK 3489First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10931WFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10931WFirst yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 864 / Warner Bros. Records BSK 3489First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Europe | Rhino Records 8122796666LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
47 vinyl pressings of Borderline are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1980 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3489.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3489, WB 56 864, K 56864, XBS 3489) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3489 WW2 #2 • —◁ and BSK-2-3489 WW3 #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.
