Vinyl pressings
by Todd Rundgren · 1978
Back To The Bars was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 9 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.
2BRX-1-RECORD 1-LW1 STERLINGA Side Etch exc Sterling stamp, var. 1
2BRX-2-RECORD 1-LW1 STERLINGB Side Etch exc Sterling stamp, var. 1
2BRX-3-RECORD 2-LW2 STERLINGC Side Etch exc Sterling stamp, var. 1
2BRX-4-RECORD 2-LW1 STERLINGD Side Etch exc Sterling stamp, var. 1
STERLINGAll sides runout stamped, all variants
0All sides runout stamped, variants 1, 2
2BRX-1-6986-RECORD 1-JW3Side A runout etched, variant 1
2BRX-2-6986-RECORD 1-JW3Side B runout etched, variant 1
2BSK-1-6986-RECORD 1-WW3 · ─◁ STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
2BRK-2-6986-RECORD 1-WW3 · ─◁ STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
2BRK-3-6986-RECORD 2-WW3 · ─◁ STERLINGSide C runout, variant 1
2BRK-4-6986-RECORD 2-WW1 · ─◁ STERLINGSide D runout, variant 1
2BRK-1-6986-RECORD 1- T1 GOLA-Side Runout, variant 1
2BRK-2-6986-RECORD 1- G1 GOLB-Side Runout, variant 1
̶ 3-6986 RECORD 2 -- G2 GOLC-Side Runout, variant 1
2BRK-4-6986-RECORD 2- G1 GOLD-Side Runout, variant 1
2BRX-1-6986-RECORD 1-HW1 STERLINGSide A runout
2BRX-2-6986-RECORD 1-HW1 STERLINGSide B runout
2BRX 3-6986 RECORD 2 -HW1 STERLINGSide C runout
2BRX-4-6986-RECORD 2-HW1 STERLINGSide D runout
2BRK-1-6986-RECORD 1- G1 GOLSide A runout, etched, variant 1
2BRK-2-6986-RECORD 1- G1 GOLSide A runout, etched, variant 1
2̶BRK-3-6986-REC-2-G1 GOL STERLINGSide C runout, etched (exc. STERLING), variant 1
2BRK-4-6986-RECORD 2-G1 STERLING GOLSide D runout, etched (exc. STERLING), variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | Bearsville 2BRX 6986First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Bearsville 2BRX 6986First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Bearsville BEA 65 511First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Bearsville BEA 65 511First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-5561~2W / Bearsville P-5561~2WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-5561~2W / Bearsville P-5561~2WFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Bearsville BEA 65 511 / Bearsville 2 BRK 6986First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Bearsville 2BRX 6986First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville 2BRX 6986First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville 2BRX 6986First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville 2BRX 6986First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville 2BRX 6986LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville 2BRX 6986First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Bearsville 2BRX 6986First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | Bearsville K 65511 / Bearsville K65511First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Bearsville 67.395LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | Bearsville RNDA 71109LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Bearsville 300 567LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of Back To The Bars are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1978 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Bearsville 2BRX 6986, released December 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2BRX 6986, K 65511, BEA 65 511, P-5561~2W) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2BRX-1-RECORD 1-LW1 STERLING and 2BRX-2-RECORD 1-LW1 STERLING. 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.
