Vinyl pressings
by Vic Vergeat · 1981
Down To The Bone 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.
9 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 7 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.
ST-1-12189 F1 ⥛ ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLA runout
ST-2-12189 F4 4 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL xxB runout
ST-1-12187A label
ST-2-12187B label
ST-1-12187 F2 ━◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPSide A runout variant 1
ST-2-12187 F2 ━◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPSide B runout variant 1
ST-1-12187 F2 ━◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPSide A runout variant 2
ST-2-12187 F2 #2 ━◁ MASTERED BY CAPITOL KPSide B runout variant 2
ST-12187-A kez tlc-aRunout Side 1, etched
ST-12187-B. kez tlc-aRunout Side 2, etched
2c 068-46.350 BA-Side Label
2C 068-46.350 AB-Side Label
46350 A2Side A runout
46350 B1Side B runout
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 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-12187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Pathé Marconi EMI 2C 068-46.350First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Emi Electrola 1C 064-46 350 / Harvest 1C 064-46 350First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Harvest 1C 064-46 350 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-46 350LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Emi Electrola 064-46 350 / Harvest 064-46 350LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81463First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Capitol Records ECS-81463First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Portugal | VDC VEH5012DBFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Harvest 10C 064-046.350First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12187First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Capitol Records ST-12187First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of Down To The Bone are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Capitol Records ST-12187.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST-12187, 2C 068-46.350, 1C 064-46 350, ECS-81463) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-12189 F1 ⥛ ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL and ST-2-12189 F4 4 ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOL xx. 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.
