Vinyl pressings
by Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie · 1983
Smokin' was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 5 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.
WEA 96-0233-1 A B[crossed out]-1 RME R/S AlsdorfRunout Side A, etched, stamped, Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 96 0233-1 A[crossed out]B STRAWBERRY (G)Runout Side B, stamped, etched, Variant 1
[Etched] WEA 96-0233-1 A B̶ -1 RME [Stamped] R/S Alsdorf [Etched] 3Runout Side A, Variant 2
[Stamped] R/S Alsdorf 96 0233-1 A B̶ [Etched] 13 [Stamped] STRAWBERRY (G)Runout Side B, Variant 2
WEA 96-0233-1 A2 B-1[crossed out] RME 44 R/S AlsdorfRunout Side A, etched, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 96 0233-1 A[crossed out] B GR 15 STRAWBERRY (G)Runout Side B, stamped, etched
(96-0233-1)Label side A
(96-0233-2)Label side B
D WEA 96-0233-1 A B[crossed out]-1 RME R/S AlsdorfRunout Side A, etched, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 96 0233-1 A[crossed out]B STRAWBERRY (G)Runout Side B, stamped, etched
(96-0233-1)Label Side A
(96-0233-2)Label Side B
D WEA 96-0233-1 A B[crossed out]-1 RME R/S AlsdorfRunout Side A, etched, stamped
R/S Alsdorf 96 0233-1 A[crossed out]B STRAWBERRY (G)Runout Side B, stamped, etched
(96-0233-1)Label Side A
(96-0233-2)Label Side B
60233 A 2 SHAR [Allied logo] B-17791-A2 SLM △ 3799 1-2 STERLINGRunout side A etched, STERLING stamped
60233 B 2 SHAR [Allied logo] B-17792-B2 SLM △ 3799-X 1-1 STERLINGRunout side B etched, STERLING stamped
60233 A ISP I-IRunout Side A etched
60233 B I SP I-IRunout Side B etched
STERLING Ƨ (RC)Runout both Side stamped [RC in Ƨ]
60233-A (SP)Label Side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Elektra Musician 96-0233-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Elektra Musician 96-0233-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Elektra Musician 96-0233-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Elektra Musician 96-0233-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Elektra Musician 96-0233-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | Elektra Musician 96-0233-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Elektra Musician 96-0233-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Elektra Musician 60233-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Elektra Musician 60233-1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | Elektra Musician 60233-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Elektra Musician 60233LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | South Korea | WEA OLW-430LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Smokin' are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1983 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Europe, US, France, Italy and more. One of them is Elektra Musician 96-0233-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 96-0233-1, 60233-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WEA 96-0233-1 A B[crossed out]-1 RME R/S Alsdorf and R/S Alsdorf 96 0233-1 A[crossed out]B 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.
