Vinyl pressings
by Showaddywaddy · 1975
Step Two was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 8 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.
BELLS 256 A-3U MO 1Runout, side A, variant 1
BELLS 256 B-3U M 1Runout, side B, variant 1
BELLS 256 A-3U C E 2Runout, side A, variant 2
BELLS 256 B-3U HO 3̶ 2Runout, side B, variant 2
BELLS•256•A9A side runout, stamped
BELLS•256•B9B side runout, stamped
BELLS 256 A-1U GL KEV ISide A runout, variant 1
BELLS 256 B-1U RD KEV ISide B runout, variant 1
BELLS 256 A-1U RH I KEVSide A runout, variant 2
BELLS 256 B-1U AG KEV !Side B runout, variant 2
BELLS 256 A YOSX461Stamped Runout, Side A
BELLS 256 B YOSX462Stamped Runout, Side B
96 731 A – 1A-side runout stamped
96 731 B – 1B-side runout stamped
96731-A - 2-1- 76Stamped Runout, Side A
96731-B - 2-1- 76Stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Bell Records BELLS 256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Bell Records 1C 062-96 731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Bell Records 1C 062-96 731lFirst yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Italy | Bell Records 3c064-96731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Japan | Arista BLPO-21-ARFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | South Africa | Bell Records BLPJ(L) 2007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Bell Records 1J 062-96731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Sweden | Bell Records BELLS 256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 256First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Bell Records BELLS 256First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | UK & Europe | Tiger Records SHOLP 2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Arista BELLS 256LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Step Two are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1975 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, Australia, Germany, Italy and more. One of them is Bell Records BELLS 256.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BELLS 256, 1C 062-96 731, 3c064-96731, BLPJ(L) 2007) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BELLS 256 A-3U MO 1 and BELLS 256 B-3U M 1. 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.
