Vinyl pressings
by Bruce Johnston · 1977
Pipeline was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
XSS-163310-1GA-side runout etching variant 1
XSS-163311-1C JS XTALB-side runout etching variant 1
1S XSS-163310-1A SX JS XTAL BA-side runout etching variant 2
XSS 163311-1C JS XTAL CB-side runout etching variant 2
ZSS 163316-1D JS•XTALRunout side A etched
ZSS 163317-1C JS•XTALRunout side B etched
ZSS 163316Label side A
ZSS 163317Label side B
ZSP 163315Label A
ZSP 163316Label B
XSS 163310Label - Side A
XSS 163311Label - Side B
CBS.S.5514 A1Runout, A-side, etched
CBS.S.5514 B1Runout, B-side, etched
CBS S 5514 AºLabel, A-side, printed
CBS S 5514 BºLabel, B-side, printed
S-CBS- 5514-A1 DA-side runout etched, stamped
S-CBS-5514-B1 DB-side runout etched, stamped
S CBS 5514A*A-side label
S CBS 5514B*B-side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | CBS BA 222317First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia 23-10567First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | Columbia 23-10567First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 5514First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS CBS 5579First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS CBS 5514 / CBS CBS S 5514First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Mexico | CBS BS-35,004First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1977 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461772First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5514First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5514First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5514First yearSingle, 45 RPM, 7" | Single, 45 RPM, 7" |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5514First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | Columbia 23-10567First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia 23-10567First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia 3-10568First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
17 vinyl pressings of Pipeline are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 23-10567.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 23-10567, 3-10568, S CBS 5514, BA 222317) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-163310-1G and XSS-163311-1C JS XTAL. 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.
