Vinyl pressings
by The Blues Band · 1980
Ready. 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.
16 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 10 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.
BB 2 A // 3 E MRunout Side A, variant 1
BB 2 B // 2 E MRunout Side B, variant 1
BB 2 A// 3▽EM 121 2Runout Side A, variant 2, stamped
BB 2 B// 2▽EM 111 8 ARUNRunout Side B, variant 2, stamped/etched
BB 2 A // 3 ▽EM 1 1 1Runout side A, stamped
BB 2 B // 2 ▽EM 4 1 3Runout side B, stamped
B B1 A//1▽E P 1 1 8Runout side C, stamped
BB 1 B//1▽E P 1 1 1Runout side D, stamped
BB 2 A// 3▽EM 121 11Runout side A, variant 1
BB 2 B// 3▽E TO 1 1 3 POUNDARunout side B, variant 1
BB 2 A// 3▽EM 12 L 13Runout side A, variant 2
BB 2 B// 3▽E TO 1 1 2 POUNDARunout side B, variant 2
BB 2 A // 2 E M ARUNRunout Side A
BB 2 B // 2 E M ARUNRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Unknown | Arista BB2First yearLP | LP |
| 1980 | Australia | ARISTA L 37455First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9546First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Arista AL 9546First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | Arista 202.887 / Arista 202 887First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Arista 202 887First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Arista 32 399 8LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1980 | Germany | Arista 202 887First yearLP, Advance, Album, Stereo | LP, Advance, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Ireland | Arista BB 002 / Arista BB2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Arista ARS 39090First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Arista SBLL 6134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | Baton Productions Ltd. BB 002 / Baton Productions Ltd. BB2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | South Africa | Arista ASTJ 99First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Arista BB 002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | UK | Arista BB 002 / Arista BB2First yearLP, Album, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, Single, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Stereo, 7", 45 RPM, Single, All Media, Limited Edition · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Europe | Ariola 210 498LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of Ready. are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1980 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, Australia, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Arista BB 002.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BB 002, BB2, L 37455, AL 9546) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BB 2 A // 3 E M and BB 2 B // 2 E M. 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.
