Vinyl pressings
by Charly Garcia · 1986
Tango was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
ALS 7978 T1 EDP (in oval) SterlingStamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7979 T2 EDP (in oval) SterlingStamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7978Printed on A Side Label & Stamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7979Printed on B Side Label & Stamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7978 T1 EDP (in oval) SterlingStamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7979 T2 EDP (in oval) SterlingStamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7978Printed on A Side Label & Stamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7979Printed on B Side Label & Stamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7978Printed on A Side Label & Stamped on Run out Groove
ALS 7979Printed on B Side Label & Stamped on Run out Groove
03-09-17060-1APrinted on A Side Label & Stamped on Run out Groove
03-09-17061-1APrinted on B Side Label & Stamped on Run out Groove
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | CBS S 26997First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Argentina | CBS 20.716 / Discos CBS 20.716First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Colombia | CBS 141929First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Mexico | Embassy EMB-24143First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Peru | CBS Discos S.E. 8776First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Discos CBS 26997 (MN)First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Uruguay | Discos CBS 20.716First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Uruguay | Renew Variety Records 350.609 / Discos CBS 350.609First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Venezuela | CBS DCS 1.155First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Argentina | Discos CBS 20.716First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Argentina | Discos CBS 20.716First yearLP, Mini-Album | LP, Mini-Album |
| 1986 | Argentina | CBS 20.716LP, Mini-Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Mini-Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Argentina | Discos CBS 88883790421 / Sony Music 88883790421LP, Mini-Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Mini-Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Tango are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1986 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and more. One of them is Discos CBS 20.716, released January 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 20.716, S 26997, 141929, EMB-24143) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ALS 7978 T1 EDP (in oval) Sterling and ALS 7979 T2 EDP (in oval) Sterling. 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.
