Vinyl pressings
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1983
Electric Universe 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.
23 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 17 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.
PAL38980-1F CI I G1Side A Runout etched, Variant 1
PBL38980-1F G1Side B Runout etched, Variant 1
PAL 38980-1E o G2Side A Runout etched, Variant 2
PBL 38980-1H o G1Side B Runout etched, Variant 2
P PAL 38980-1B ASide A runout, variant 1
P PBL 38980-1A 0Side B runout, variant 1
P PAL 38980-1C 0Side A runout, variant 2
T PBL 38980-1CSide B runout, variant 2
NL 31-25775-1AVariant 1, A Side runout, stamped
CBS 25775 B1Variant 1, B Side runout, etched
CBS 25775 A1 20 AVariant 2, A Side runout, etched (20 A) Stamped
CBS 25775.B.1 AVariant 2, A Side runout, etched (A) Stamped
AL-38980 1A2HZ DM-1A-side runout
BL-38980 1A2HZ DM-1B-side runout
AL 38980A-side label
BL 38980B-side label
AL-38980·1A2HZ DM-6Runout Side A
BL-38980 1A2HZ DM-5Runout Side B
AL 38980Label side A
BL 38980Label side B
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 | Argentina | Columbia 20.466 / Discos CBS 20.466First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Argentina | Columbia 20.466 / Discos CBS 20.466First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237979First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Brazil | CBS 138573First yearLP | LP |
| 1983 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100783First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS CBS 25775 / CBS 25775First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | CBS CBS 4630791 / CBS CBS 25775First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | CBS CBS 22775First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | CBS CBS 25775First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 2546First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Philippines | CBS QCL-22066First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | CBS CBS 25775First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS S 25775First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS S 25775First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | CBS CBS 25775First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 463079 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 38980 / Columbia QC 38980LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
27 vinyl pressings of Electric Universe are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1983 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia QC 38980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use QC 38980, CBS 25775, 25AP 2720, 20.466) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL38980-1F CI I G1 and PBL38980-1F G1. 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.
