Vinyl pressings
by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers · 1976
Breakdown 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.
10 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SMX 51873 ·2ASide A runout etched
SMX 51874 ·2ASide B runout etched
K980 MX 51873 (SR 62008)Label A
K980 MX 51874 (SR 62008)Label B
SR-62008-AS.RE-1 1BA Side Run-Out Groove
SR-62008-BS 2B Side Run-Out Groove
SR-62006-ASA Side
SR-62006-BSB Side
SR-62008-AS RE-1 ⑥ [P]A side runout, etched, [stamped]
SR-62008-BS [P]B side runout, etched, [stamped]
45-62008-A/SA side label matrix
45-62008-B/SB side label matrix
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 | Australia | Shelter Records K-6980First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Shelter Records 1309-62008First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | New Zealand | Shelter Records K 6980 / Shelter Records SR 62008First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | UK | Shelter RecordsFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SR-62008First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SR-62008First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SR-62006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SR-62006First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SR-62006First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | Shelter Records SR-62008 / ABC Records SR 62008First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Shelter Records 11 825 AT7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Shelter Recording Company Inc. SPDJ 27 / ABC Records SP D/J 2712", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Shelter Records SR-620087", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Shelter Records SFL-22457", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Shelter Records SFL-22457", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Breakdown are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1976 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in New Zealand, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Shelter Records K 6980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 6980, SR-62008, SR-62006, K-6980) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SMX 51873 ·2A and SMX 51874 ·2A. 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.
