Vinyl pressings
by Billy Cobham · 1979
B.C. was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, 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.
PAL 35993-1B A 1 SRunout side A, variant 1
PBL 35993-1B S2 1 SRunout side B, variant 1
1S PAL 35993-1A CB 2Runout side A, variant 2
1S PBL 35993-1A A 4Runout side B, variant 2
PAL 35993-1CSIDE A
PBL 35993-1A T1SIDE B
PAL 35993-1DSIDE A
PBL 35993-1CSIDE B
PAL 35993-1CVar 1 - A side runout etched
PBL35933-1CVar 1 - B side runout etched
o T1 PAL 35993-1E BVar 2 - A side runout (all etched except "B")
o T1 PBL 35993-1F BVar 2 - B side runout (all etched except "B")
CBS-S-83641-A 2 ARunout side A
CBS-S-83641-B1 ARunout side B
S CBS 83641 ALabel side A
S CBS 83641 BLabel side B
AL 35993 . 1A . 2GH DM 1Side 1 runout
BL 35993 . 1A . 2HG DM 1Side 2 runout
AL 35993Side A label
BL 35993Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP 237391First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 1694First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1694First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | CBS CBS 83641 / CBS S CBS 83641First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35993First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 35993First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia Records JC 35993First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia Records JC 35993First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 35993First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of B.C. are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 35993.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35993, CBS 83641, SBP 237391, 25AP 1694) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 35993-1B A 1 S and PBL 35993-1B S2 1 S. 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.
