Vinyl pressings
by The Main Ingredient · 1972
Bitter Sweet was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 6 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.
APRS-5799-3 S HRunout A, variant 1
APRS-5800-3 S HRunout B, variant 1
APRS-5799-1 S IVRunout A, variant 2
APRS-5800-4 S HRunout B, variant 2
R APRS-5799-2 S - B/kStamped and etched A. Side
R APRS-5799-2 S - A3BStamped and etched B. Side
R APRS-5799-2 S - A2BVariation 2 A. Side
R APRS-5799-2 S - A2DVariation 2 B. Side
APRS-5799Side 1 Matrix
APRS-5800Side 2 Matrix
APRS-5799-1 S I A1Side 1 Runout
APRS-5800-4 S I B1Side 2 Runout
APRS 5799-1E AICRunout, Side A
APRS 5800-1E AICRunout, Side B
APRS 5799Center label, Side A
APRS 5800Center label, side B
APRS 5799Center label, Side A
APRS 5800Center label, side B
APRS-5799 TGSide 1 runout
APRS-5800 TGSide 2 runout
APRS-5799Side 1 label
APRS-5800Side 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | RCA Victor MLSP-4677First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Canada | RCA Victor LSP-4677First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-4677First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | RCA Victor LSP-4677First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | RCA Victor LSP-4677First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Taiwan | Liming Record LM-2513LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1972 | UK | RCA Victor SF 8339First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4677First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | RCA Records LSP-4677First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | RCA Victor LSP-4677First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Venezuela | RCA Victor LPVS-1346LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Bitter Sweet are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA Victor LSP-4677.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LSP-4677, SF 8339, MLSP-4677) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, APRS-5799-3 S H and APRS-5800-3 S H. 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.
