Vinyl pressings
by Todd Rundgren · 1976
Good Vibrations was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 8 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.
STERLING 0 BSS 0309 UXX 0409 S JW-1 #2A-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
0 SUB BSS 0309 UXX 0416 S JW-1 #2B-Side Runout Etching, Variant 1
STERLING 0 SUB BSS 0309 UXX 0409 S JW-1 #1A-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
0 SUB BSS 0309 UXX 0416 S JW1 #2B-Side Runout Etching, Variant 2
ST BSS 0309 UXX 0409 S WW1 Sterling --->A-Side Runout Etching
BSS 0309 UXX 0416 S WW1 -->B-Side Runout Etching
(UXX 0409)SA-Side Label
(UXX 0416)SB-Side Label
BSS 0309 UXX 0409-S LW-1 ✲ [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
BSS 0309 UXX 0416 S LW1 ✲Side B Runout, etched
(UXX 0409)SSide A Label
(UXX 0416)SSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Bearsville BSV-0309First yearSingle, 7", 45 RPM | Single, 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Germany | Bearsville BEA 15 525First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BSS 0309First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records N-S-63-108First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Spain | Warner Bros. Records 45-1379 / Hispavox 45-1379 (SN)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Bearsville BSS-0309First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | Bearsville BSS-0309First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Bearsville BSS-0309First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Bearsville BSS-0309First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Australia | Bearsville BSS-0309First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-38WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-38WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Good Vibrations are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, Australia, Japan, Canada and more. One of them is Bearsville BSS-0309, released May 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BSS-0309, P-38W, BSV-0309, BEA 15 525) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, STERLING 0 BSS 0309 UXX 0409 S JW-1 #2 and 0 SUB BSS 0309 UXX 0416 S JW-1 #2. 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.
