Vinyl pressings
by Status Quo · 1983
Back To Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1983, 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.
VERH 10 A // 3 420 R 11 10 ARUNSide A runout, variant 1
VERH 10 B // 2 420 R 11 1Side B runout, variant 1
VERH 10 A // 3 ▽ 420 R ARUNSide A runout, variant 2
VERH 10 B // 1 ▽ 420 RSide B runout, variant 2
81466211 E111+ 0Side A runout variant 1
81466212 E121+Side B runout variant 1
814 662-1 1Y=2 320 MRunout side A, variant 1
814 662-1 2Y 320 MRunout side B, variant 1
814 662-1 1Y=2 320 B Z 1Runout side A, variant 2
814 662-1 2Y 320 C Z 1Runout side B, variant 2
8146621 A 520 25 11 83Runout side A
8146621 B 520Runout side B
1Mirrored number on side A
2Mirrored number on 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | Vertigo 814 662-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | Vertigo 814 662-1 / Vertigo 8146621First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Ecuador | Vertigo LP-31008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Finland | Vertigo 814 662-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Vertigo 814 662-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Vertigo 814 662-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | Vertigo 814 662-1 / Vertigo 814 662First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1983 | Ireland | Vertigo VERH 10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Vertigo 814 662-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Vertigo 814 662-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Vertigo 814 662-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | Vertigo 814 662-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | Vertigo 814 662 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Vertigo VERH 10LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Japan | Vertigo 25PP-112First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
23 vinyl pressings of Back To Back are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, Japan, Taiwan, Germany and more. One of them is Vertigo VERH 10, released October 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VERH 10, 25PP-112, 814 662, 814 662-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VERH 10 A // 3 420 R 11 10 ARUN and VERH 10 B // 2 420 R 11 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.
