Vinyl pressings
by Swollen Members · 1999
Balance was first pressed on vinyl in 1999. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1999, the album's first year, in 3 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.
BAX-1001-A PA 3-01 MASTERED BY TRUTONESide A runout
BAX-1001-B PA 3-01 MASTERED BY TRUTONESide B runout
BAX-1001-C PA 3-01 MASTERED BY TRUTONESide C runout
BAX-1001-D PA 3-01 MASTERED BY TRUTONESide D runout
JFR016LP A-1Side A inscribed
JRF 016 LPA-01-01-Side A stamped
JFR016LP B-1Side B inscribed
JRF 016 LPB-01-01-ISide B stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Europe | Jazz Fudge JFR016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1999 | UK | Jazz Fudge JFR 016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1999 | UK | Jazz Fudge JFR 016First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1999 | US | Battle Axe Records BAX 5001-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1999 | US | Battle Axe RecordsFirst yearLP, Album, White Label, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, White Label, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1999 | US | Battle Axe Records BAX 1001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | US | Battle Axe Records BAX 1022-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Canada | Battle Axe Records BAX 1001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | Canada | Battle Axe Records BAT-568LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2019 | USA & Canada | Battle Axe Records BAT-568LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Balance are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1999 and 2019.
The earliest pressings are from 1999, in US, UK, Europe. One of them is Battle Axe Records BAX 1001, released May 31, 1999.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BAX 1001, JFR 016, BAX 5001-1, JFR016) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BAX-1001-A PA 3-01 MASTERED BY TRUTONE and BAX-1001-B PA 3-01 MASTERED BY TRUTONE. 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.
