Vinyl pressings
by Champaign · 1981
How 'Bout Us 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.
17 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 11 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.
Mastered By Capitol Wallystamped in runout side A & B "Wally" scratched in cursive
PAL-37008 1Ascratched in runout side A
PBL-37008 1Bstamped in runout side B
PAL-37008 1FVariant 1: scratched in runout side A
1 S PAL-37008 1A MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally B2Runout A, variant 1
1 S PBL-37008 1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally A9Runout B, variant 1
1 S PAL-37008 1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally A4Runout A, variant 2
1 S PBL-37008 1B MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally A14Runout B, variant 2
T1 PAL-37008 1F MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally A4A side runout
T1 PBL-37008 1F MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally A9B side runout
AL 37008A side label
BL 37008B side label
P PAL-37008 1C WallyRunout side A, etched
P PBL-37008 1D WallyRunout side B, etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout both sides, stamped
AL 37008Matrix side A, on 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | CBS SBP 237614First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS SBP 237614First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 84927 / CBS JC 37008First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS CBS 84927 / CBS 84927First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2039First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5715First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237614First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2612First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS S 84927First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | CBS CBS 84927First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 37008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 37008First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 37008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Columbia JC 37008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 37008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of How 'Bout Us are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1981 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 37008.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 37008, CBS 84927, SBP 237614, 25AP 2039) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Mastered By Capitol Wally and PAL-37008 1A. 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.
