Vinyl pressings
by Tom Waits · 1981
Bounced Checks was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, 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.
R/S Alsdorf 52316 A3 ·STRAWBERRY (G)·Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 52316 B3 ·STRAWBERRY (G)·Runout side B
R/S Alsdorf 52316 A3X STRAWBERRY (G) DRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 52316 B4 STRAWBERRY G >D< 37Runout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 52316 A3X UK 56 ·STRAWBERRY (G)·Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 52316 B4 34 ·STRAWBERRY· GRunout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 52316 A3 · STRAWBERRY (C) ·Side 1 runout, stamped
· STRAWBERRY (C) · R/S Alsdorf 52316 B3 x[etched]Side 2 runout, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 52316 A3 x[etched] 42[etched] BE[etched] · STRAWBERRY (C) ·Side 1 runout, stamped, Variant 2
· STRAWBERRY · G[etched] R/S Alsdorf 52316 B4 13[etched]Side 1 runout, stamped, Variant 2
K-52316 - A / STRAWBERRY (G)Side 1
K-52316 - B / STRAWBERRY (G)Side 2
∆ MX198617-B EF7200-1Side 1
∆ MX198618 EF7200-2Side 2
STRAWBERRY (G) R/S Alsdorf 52316 A3A side
STRAWBERRY (G) R/S Alsdorf 52316 B3B side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Asylum Records EF 7200First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Asylum Records AS K 52 316 (EF 7200)First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Greece | WEA AS 52316 / WEA 52316First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | WEA AS 52316 / WEA 52316First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1981 | Ireland | Asylum Records K 52 316First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Italy | Asylum Records EF 7200First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Italy | Asylum Records AS K 52 316 (EF 7200) / Asylum Records AS 52 316First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Asylum Records AS K 52 316First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Asylum Records EF 7200First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Asylum Records EF 7200First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1981 | Portugal | Asylum Records ASY 52316First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316 / Asylum Records AS 52 316First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52316 / Elektra K 52 316LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316 / Asylum Records AS 52 316LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52316 / Elektra K 52 316LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS K 52 316LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Asylum Records AS 52 316 / Asylum Records AS K 52 316LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of Bounced Checks are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1981 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Europe, Australia, France, Greece and more. One of them is Asylum Records AS K 52 316, released September 25, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AS K 52 316, EF 7200, AS K 52 316 (EF 7200), AS 52316) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 52316 A3 ·STRAWBERRY (G)· and R/S Alsdorf 52316 B3 ·STRAWBERRY (G)·. 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.
