Vinyl pressings
by Simon & Garfunkel · 1970
Bridge Over Troubled Water was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
50 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 23 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.
ZSP152907 2AA TIA-Side Runout Area, variant 1
ZSP152908-1C TIIIIIIB-Side Runout Area, variant 1
ZSP152907 2D [M TII]A-Side Runout Area, stamped [etched] variant 2
ZSP152908-1C [TIIIIIIIII]B-Side Runout Area, stamped [etched] variant 2
ZSP 152907Side A Print
ZSP 152908Side B Print
JZSP152907-2A pA side deadwax - stamped, variant 1
J ZSP152908-1A pB side deadwax - stamped, variant 1
ZSP152907-2C S1A side runout - variant 1
ZSP152908-1D SS11B side runout - variant 1
ZSP152907-2B SS--A side runout - variant 2
ZSP152908-1D SS1B side runout - variant 2
J ZSP152907-2A P A3 oRunout A
ZSP152908-1B P B3Runout B
ZSP 152907Label A
ZSP 152908Label B
JZSP152907-2A pA-side runout, variant 1
ZSP152908-1B pB-side runout, variant 1
ZSP152907-2L p 3A-side runout, variant 2
ZSP152908-1B p 3B-side runout, variant 2
ZSP152907-2K pA side deadwax - stamped
JZS S152946-1B pB side deadwax - stamped
JZSP 152907A-Side Center Label
JZSS 152946B-Side Center 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Brazil | CBS 33641First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1970 | Canada | Columbia 4-45079First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Canada | Columbia 4-45079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Canada | Columbia 4-45079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Finland | CBS 4790First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | France | CBS 4790First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | France | CBS 4790First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | France | CBS 4790First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Germany | CBS 4790First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Germany | CBS 4790First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Germany | CBS 4790First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1970 | Greece | CBS BA 301269First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | India | CBS 4-45079First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Ireland | Columbia 4790First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1970 | Israel | CBS 4790First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Spain | CBS CBS 47907", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS CBS 47907", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS 4790 / CBS CBS 47907", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS CBS 47907", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | CBS 47907", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 70617", Reissue | 7", Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS A45967", Single | 7", Single |
66 vinyl pressings of Bridge Over Troubled Water are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1970 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in US, UK, Australia, Jamaica and more. One of them is Columbia 4-45079, released January 20, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4-45079, S 4790, BA-221720, 2-601) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZSP152907 2AA TI and ZSP152908-1C TIIIIII. 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.
