Vinyl pressings
by Albert Hammond · 1978
Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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.
CBS.S.31643.A.1 ΛSide A runout variant 1
CBS.S.31643.B.1 ΛSide B runout variant 1
CBS-S.31643.A.1 V 1Side A runout variant 2, etched, stamped
CBS-S.31643-B-1 V CSide B runout variant 2, etched, stamped
CBS•S•31643•A1Side1, variant 1
CBS•S•31643•B1Side2, variant 1
CBS-31643 A2 Λ 4Side1, variant 2
CBS-S-31643-B1 ESide2, variant 2
CBS. S. 31643. A.1Scratched in A side run out
CBS. S. 31643. B.1Scratched in B side run out
EMB 02-31643-3A-IA Side runout
EMB 02-31643-3B-IB Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia WP 90620First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Europe | Embassy EMB 31643First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Europe | Embassy EMB 31643First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Europe | Embassy EMB 31643First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | Ireland | CBS SCBS 31643 / EmbassyFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | CBS 31643 / Embassy 31643First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1978 | UK | CBS CBS 31643First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 31643First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32582LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 32582LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
10 vinyl pressings of Greatest Hits are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Canada, Europe, Ireland. One of them is CBS 31643.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 31643, CBS 31643, S CBS 31643, WP 90620) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS.S.31643.A.1 Λ and CBS.S.31643.B.1 Λ. 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.
