Vinyl pressings
by The Meters · 1977
New Directions was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
BS-1-3042-LW1-1A ⇀ ✲A-side runout, variation 1
BS-2-3042-LW-1A ⇀ ✲B-side runout, variation 1
BS-1-3042-LW2-1B. ⇀ ✲A-side runout, variation 2
BS-2-3042-LW2-1B. ⇀ ✲B-side runout, variation 2
BS-1-3042-WW1-1E ─◁A-side runout
BS-2-3042-WW1-1E ─◁B-side runout
BS-1-3042-JW2-[a sideways lyre] #2 0Runout Side A
BS-2-3042-JW2-[a sideways lyre] #2 0Runout Side B
MX183995
MX183996
BS3042-A-1A-2G ⦁Side A runout
BS 3042-B-1A-2G ⦁Side B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56378First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56378LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Rhodesia | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1344First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBC 1344First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 3042LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
13 vinyl pressings of New Directions are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Australia, Canada, Netherlands and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 3042.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 3042, WB 56378, WBC 1344) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BS-1-3042-LW1-1A ⇀ ✲ and BS-2-3042-LW-1A ⇀ ✲. 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.
