Vinyl pressings
by Bob James · 1984
12 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.
16 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 12 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.
AL 39580Matrix side A
BL 39580Matrix side B
P o AL 39580-1E ARunout side A, variant 1
P o BL 39580-1A ARunout side B, variant 1
AL39580-1D C G1 B3A-Side Runout, variant 1
BL39580-1E "Sideways Anvil Symbol" G1 AGB-Side Runout , variant 1
AL39580-1D G1 E12A-Side Runout, variant 2
BL-39580 G1B XG A5 P-G0 (MP-D)B-Side Runout, variant 2
CBS 26341 A1Runout Side A Etched
CBS 26314 B1Runout Side B Etched
Λ (a 'pyramid' of 3 dots creating this shape)Runout Sides A & B
△ MX 215869 SBP 8083-1Side A (Etched)
△ MX 215870 SBP 8083-2Side B (Etched)
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 | Australia | CBS SBP 8083First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | CBS Associated Records FC 39580 / Tappan Zee Records FC 39580First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | CBS Associated Records FC 39580 / Tappan Zee Records FC 39580First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | CBS CBS 26314First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony Inc. CYA-1027First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Tappan Zee Records 30AP 2952First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5825First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Nigeria | CBS FC 39580First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Philippines | Tappan Zee Records FC 39580First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | CBS CBS 26314 / Tappan Zee Records, Inc. CBS 26314First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Zimbabwe | CBS ASF 3033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 39580 / Columbia FC 39580First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | Tappan Zee Records FC 39580 / Columbia FC 39580First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | Tappan Zee Records 28AP 2945First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of 12 are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Tappan Zee Records FC 39580, released October 1984.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 39580, CBS 26314, 28AP 2945, SBP 8083) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 39580 and BL 39580. 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.
