Vinyl pressings
by Bob Marley · 1981
Chances Are was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
36 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 30 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.
ST-CTN-814777-A 0-1 SM1 MASTERDISK HWRunout side A, variant 1
ST-CTN-814778-C SP MASTERDISK HW 0-1 SM1-1Runout side B, variant 1
ST-CTN-814777-A SP 0-1 SM1-6 MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 2
ST-CT-814778-C SP MASTERDISK 0-1 SM4-2Runout side B, variant 2
ST-CTN-814778- + SLM+ △737 mr △25302 C1 5228 HW B-16160-ARunout, side A, etched
ST-CT-814778-C 27 SLM+ △737-X 5228 mr △25302X HW B-16161-CRunout, side B, etched
MASTERDISKRunout, both sides, stamped
ST-CTN-814777-ARLabel matrix, side A
K 99183-A-2 W038 GEN TOWN HOUSESide A etched / stamped runout
K 99183-B-2 W038 GEN TOWN HOUSESide B etched / stamped 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | WEA 80763First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | WEA 99183First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | WEA 99183First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Austria | WEA WEA 99 183First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Brazil | WEA 670.9331First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Brazil | WEA 28.052First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Canada | WEA XWEA 99183First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Europe | WEA WEA K 99 183 / WEA WEA 99 183First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | WEA WEA K 99 183First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Germany | WEA K 99183First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Greece | WEA 99183First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Greece | WEA 99183First yearLP, Compilation, White Label | LP, Compilation, White Label |
| 1981 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37266First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | Israel | Wea International / Cotillion Records BAN 99183First yearLP, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| 1981 | Italy | WEA U 99183First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Jamaica | WEA 99183LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | WEA K 99 183 / WEA 99 183LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | WEA K 99 183 / WEA 99 183LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | WEA K 99 183 / WEA 99 183LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | WEA WEA K 99 183 / WEA WEA 99 183LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | WEA 99183LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | New Zealand | WEA 99183LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
47 vinyl pressings of Chances Are are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1981 and 2009.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Cotillion SD 5228, released September 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SD 5228, K 99183, 80763, 99183) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-CTN-814777-A 0-1 SM1 MASTERDISK HW and ST-CTN-814778-C SP MASTERDISK HW 0-1 SM1-1. 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.
