Vinyl pressings
by Van Halen · 1995
Balance was first pressed on vinyl in 1995. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
2 pressings came out in 1995, the album's first year, in 2 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.
1-45760-A-RE1-SR1-DMM SP 1-1 STERLINGSide A runout, etched ["STERLING" stamped]
1-45760-B-RE1-SR1-DMM SP 1-1 STERLINGSide B runout, etched ["STERLING" stamped]
WMME Alsdorf 936 245863-1ASide 1 runout stamped
WMME Alsdorf 936 245863-1-BSide 2 runout stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 9362-45863-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1995 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 45760-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-45760First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Unknown | Warner Bros. Records 1-45760LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 45760-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-45760LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2020 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 45760-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-45760LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | Europe | Warner Bros. RecordsLP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| 2023 | US | Warner Records R1 45760LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Special Edition, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Repress, Special Edition, Stereo |
| 2025 | Europe | Warner Records 081227811235 / Rhino Records RCV1 727470LP, LP, Single Sided, Etched, All Media, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, LP, Single Sided, Etched, All Media, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Europe | Rhino Records R1 727470 / Warner Records 603497816248LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Single Sided, Album, Etched, Reissue, Remastered, All Media | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Single Sided, Album, Etched, Reissue, Remastered, All Media |
| 2025 | US | Warner Records R1 727470 / Rhino Records R1 727470LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, LP, Single Sided, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, LP, Single Sided, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| 2025 | US | Warner Records RCV1 727470 / Rhino Records 081227811235LP, LP, Single Sided, Etched, All Media, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl | LP, LP, Single Sided, Etched, All Media, Album, Reissue, Remastered · Colored vinyl |
| 2025 | Worldwide | Rhino Records R2 727473 / Warner Records 603497816224LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Single Sided, Album, Etched, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Blu-ray, Remastered, All Media, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, LP, Single Sided, Album, Etched, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Blu-ray, Remastered, All Media, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited |
12 vinyl pressings of Balance are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1995 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1995, in US, Europe. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 45760-1, released January 24, 1995.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 45760-1, 9362-45863-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1-45760-A-RE1-SR1-DMM SP 1-1 STERLING and 1-45760-B-RE1-SR1-DMM SP 1-1 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.
