Vinyl pressings
by Shaun Cassidy · 1980
Wasp 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.
14 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 9 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-1-3451-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLINGSide A variant 1 etched, Sterling stamped
BSK-2-3451-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLINGSide B variant 1 etched, Sterling stamped
BSK-2-3451-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLINGSide A variant 2 etched, Sterling stamped
BSK-1-3451-LW2 ✲ ✲ STERLING GCSide B variant 2 etched, Sterling stamped
BSK-1-3451-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLING JRSide A runout
BSK-2-3451 [scratched out characters]-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLING JRSide B runout
BSK-1-3451-WW1Side A etched
BSK-2-3451-WW1 #2Side B etched
BSK-1-3451-JW1 STERLING GC 0Side A etched, Sterling stamped
BSK-2-3451-JW1 0 STERLING GCSide B etched, Sterling stamped
MX196485B BSK3451-1Side 1 Runout
MX196486 BSK3451-2Side 2 Runout
MX196485Side 1 Label
MX196486Side 2 Label
XBS-3451-ASide One Etched
XBS-3451-BSide Two 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records XBS 3451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 841First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records WB 56841First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Japan | Curb Records P-10834W / Warner Bros. Records P-10834WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | Curb Records P-10834WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records LWB-5425First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records GWEA-5425First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 841First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records S 90.303First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Warner Bros. Records BSK 3451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Curb Records D1-79280 / Curb Records D2-79280LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
15 vinyl pressings of Wasp are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1980 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BSK 3451.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSK 3451, XBS 3451, WB 56 841, WB 56841) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BSK-1-3451-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLING and BSK-2-3451-LW1 ✲ ✲ STERLING. 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.
