Vinyl pressings
by Earth, Wind & Fire · 1980
Faces was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
27 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 19 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-36796-1AH TML-M BRunout side A, etched, variant 1
PBL-36796-1AB TML-M BRunout side B, etched, variant 1
PAL36797 2H TML-M -2db ARunout side C, etched, variant 1
PBL-36797-1D TML-XRunout side D, etched, variant 1
s PAL PBL 36796 1CD TML-MSide A runout
s PBL PAL 36796 1BK TML-SSide B runout
1s PAL 36797-2AH -2db TML-M A7Side C runout
s PBL 36797 4/CJ -1db TML-M A-4Side D runout
o T1 PAL-36796-1AE TML-S DRunout A variant 1
o 1T PBL 36796 1CA TML-X BRunout B variant 1
o 1T PAL36797 2M TML-S F 3 -2dbRunout C variant 1
o T1 PBL-36797-1AF TML-S BRunout D variant 1
P AL-36796-1D TMLSide A runout,variant 1
P BL-36796-1AB TML-MSide B runout, variant 1
PBL-36797-1AN TML-X ASide C runout, variant 1
PAL 36797 2F TML-S -2dbSide D runout, variant 1
CBS-S 88490 A3 - 88498 A3 ΛA side runout, etched
CBS-S-88490 B1 - 88498-B1 ΛB side runout, etched
CBS-S-88491-A1 - 88498-C1 ΛC side runout, etched
CBS-S-88491-B1 - 88498-D1 ΛD side runout, etched
CBS-S-84490-A1 88498-A1 V 4Runout side A, variant 1
CBS-S-84490- B1 88498-B1 5 C TYRunout side B, variant 1
CBS-S-84491-A1 88498-C1 VRunout side C, variant 1
CBS-S-84491-B1 88498-D1 B TYRunout side D, variant 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Argentina | Columbia 20.153-154First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | CBS 138206/7 / Discos CBS 138206/7First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Colombia | CBS C2L-13First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88498First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88498First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 88498First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | CBS CBS 88498First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Israel | CBS CBS 88498LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 1940~1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 1940~1First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 1940~1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Mexico | CBS LP2S-100 / ARC LP2S-100First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | CBS S2BP 220234First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Philippines | ARC LP-1450-51 (KC2 36795) / CBS/Sony LP-1450-51 (KC2 36795)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia CG 36795LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
32 vinyl pressings of Faces are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is ARC KC2 36795.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC2 36795, CBS 88498, 88498, PC2 36795) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-36796-1AH TML-M B and PBL-36796-1AB TML-M B. 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.
