Vinyl pressings
by Benny Andersson · 1984
Chess was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1984, 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.
BA-Tα X POLYX-L2-600-1/3Side A runout scratched
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600/2 Ⅲ ✰ T.X. 841022Side B runout scratched
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600-3 4Side C runout scratched
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600/4 Ⅱ T.X. 841011 ✰Side D runout scratched
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600/1-4Runout side A
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600/2-III TX 841016Runout side B
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600/3-IIRunout side C
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600/4-IIRunout side D
BA-Tα X POLYXL-2-600-1/V ✰ PRITZ T.X. 841112Side A runout, etched
BA-Tα X POLYXL-2-600-2/V ✰ PRITZ T.X. 841112Side B runout, etched
BA-Tα POLYX-2-600-3 VISide C runout, etched
BA-Tα X POLYXL-2-600-4/V ✰ PRITZ T.X. 841112Side D runout,etched
A-B-I DMM RCA C-PL-70 500-A/2 POLYX-1Side 1, variant 1
BA - T⋉ POLYX-2-600/2 V ✰ T.X. 841022Side 2, variant 1
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600-X 3 4Side 3, variant 1 (X=number crossed out)
BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600/4 Ⅲ ✰ T.X. 841022Side 4, variant 1
A-B-I DMM RCA C-PL-70 500-A/2 POLYX-1Side 1, Variant 1
A-B-I DMM RCA C-PL-70 500-B/2 POLYX-2Side 2, Variant 1
B17-T(some drawing) POLYX-2-600-3-VISide 3, Variant 1
B17-T(some drawing) POLYX-2-600/4V (Drawing of star) VRIR T.(some drawing).841112Side 4, Variant 1
CPL2-5340A-1 Ja A 1TTRunout side A, etched, variant 1
CPL2-5340B-1 Ja A 2ORunout side B, etched, variant 1
CPL2-5340C-1 Ja A 1TTRunout side C, etched, variant 1
CPL2-5340D-1 Ja A 1TTRunout side D, etched, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | RCA PL2-70500First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | RCA PL70500(2)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | RCA PL70500(2)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | Sonocord 36 009-9 / RCA PL 70500First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ireland | RCA PL70500(2)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Polar POLYXL 2-600First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | RCA PL-70500(2)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | RCA CPL2-5340First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | RCA CPL2-5340First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | RCA CPL2-5340First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | RCA PL70500(2)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | RCA PL70500(2)LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1984 | Germany | RCA PL 70500 / Sonocord 36 009-9First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | RCA PL 70500 / RCA 42 196-6LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | Polar POLYXL 2-600First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
25 vinyl pressings of Chess are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1984 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Scandinavia, US, Europe, Germany and more. One of them is Polar POLYXL 2-600, released October 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use POLYXL 2-600, CPL2-5340, PL70500(2), PL 70500) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BA-Tα X POLYX-L2-600-1/3 and BA-Tα POLYX-L2-600/2 Ⅲ ✰ T.X. 841022. 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.
