Vinyl pressings
by Chicago · 1976
Chicago X was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
46 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 25 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.
PAL 34200 IAC TML-MVariant 1 side A etched [TML-M stamped]
PAL 34200 2P TML-SVariant 1 side B etched [TML-S stamped]
PAL 34200 IC TML-MVariant 2 side A etched [TML-M stamped]
PBL 34200 2P TML-SVariant 2 side B etched [TML-S stamped]
PAL 34200-1D TML-SVariant 1 side A
PAL 34200 2D TML-S PVariant 1 side B
PAL 34200-1C ○ TML-MVariant 2 side A
PBL 34200 2G TML-S PVariant 2 side B
PAL 34200-1B A Ƨ S TML-S oRunout side A, variant 1
PAL 34200 2B C Ƨ S TML-M oRunout side B, variant 1
PAL 34200-1B TML-S o D 1 SRunout side A, variant 2
PBL 34200 2B ·TML-M· o C S 2Runout side B, variant 2
PAL 34200-1F T1 TML-S B oSide A runout, variant 1
PBL 34200 2E 8 T1 TML-S C oSide B runout, variant 1
PAL 34200-1E III o T1 TML-MSide A runout, variant 2
PBL 34200 2F T2 A7 TML-1Side B runout, variant 2
PAL 34200 IA TML-MVariant 1 side A etched [TML-M stamped]
PBL 34200 -2J TML-S 1 5Variant 1 side B etched [TML-S stamped]
PAL 34200 IAB TML-S B1Variant 2 side A etched [TML-S stamped]
PBL 34200 -2J TML-S 1 5Variant 2 side B etched [TML-S stamped]
P o PAL 34200-1AG TML-MSide A, Runout
1S PBL 34200 2AB TML-S SXSide B, Runout
AL 34200Side A label
BL 34200Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Unknown | CBS/Sony 25AP-107First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Argentina | CBS 119.582 / Discos CBS 119.582First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234845First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SQP 234825 / CBS PCQ 34200First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234845First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PC 34200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PC 34200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Chile | CBS 16019 / CBS PC 34200First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Costa Rica | CBS 100245First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 86010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 86010 / CBS 86010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 86010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Greece | CBS CBS 86010 / CBS C.B.S 86010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Israel | CBS CBSQ 86010First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1976 | Italy | CBS CBS 86010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Columbia HC 44200LP, Album, Remastered | LP, Album, Remastered |
| 1988 | Europe | CBS CBS 461035 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Spain | CBS/Sony 461035 1 / CBS 461035 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Friday Music FRM-34200LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Special Edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | US | Friday Music FRM 93420LP · Colored vinyl | LP · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Friday Music FRM-93421LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (Chicago (2)) G 38LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 86010 / CBS 86010LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Rhino Records 8122780472LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Taiwan | Union TD-1828LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Taiwan | Holy Hawk Record Co. Ltd. HH-6165LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 86010 / CBS S 86010LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 34200 / Columbia PC 34200LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
62 vinyl pressings of Chicago X are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1976 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Brazil, Colombia and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34200, released June 14, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34200, PCQ 34200, 25AP-107, CBS 86010) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 34200 IAC TML-M and PAL 34200 2P TML-S. 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.
