Vinyl pressings
by Chuck Mangione · 1983
Journey To A Rainbow was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
AL-38686-1B MASTERDISK P ORunout side A, variant 1
P O BL-38686-1A MASTERDISK RLRunout side B, variant 1
AL-38686-1B I D MASTERDISK ORunout side A, variant 2
P O BL-38686-1A MASTERDISKRunout side B, variant 2
MASTERDISK P 0 AL-38686-1E XG 0Side A runout
MASTERDISK G1 0 BL-38686-1D 2 CSide B runout
AL 38686Side A label
BL 38686Side B label
AL 38686Side A label
BL 38686Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Columbia FC 38686First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100766First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Greece | CBS 25435First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | Columbia AAP 90First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2648First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | CBS 25435First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237947First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2881First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Korea | CBS/Sony KJPL-0378First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 38686First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Columbia PC 38686First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Columbia FC 38686First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | Discos CBS CLS-5809LP | LP |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 38686LP, Album | LP, Album |
14 vinyl pressings of Journey To A Rainbow are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Canada, Costa Rica, Greece and more. One of them is Columbia FC 38686.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FC 38686, PC 38686, 1100766, 25435) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL-38686-1B MASTERDISK P O and P O BL-38686-1A MASTERDISK RL. 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.
