Vinyl pressings
by El Gran Combo · 1981
Happy Days was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
COMBO-2021-ASide A, etched, Variant 1
COMBO-2021-BSide B, etched, Variant 1
COMBO-2021-A 4WSide A, etched, Variant 2
COMBO-2021-BSide B, etched, Variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Colombia | Orbe OBS E 25301First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | Fonoson 25301First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Ecuador | Angelito LP-26139First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Panama | Combo Records RCSLP 2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Panama | Discos Jesika Combo Records 2021 / Combo Records RCSLP 2021First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Peru | Bambu ELD-02.43.910First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Combo Records RCSLP 2021 / Combo Records RCSLP2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Combo Records LPC-60.003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Combo Records LPC-60.003First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Venezuela | Combo Records LPCR-60.003First yearLP, Album, Special Edition · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Special Edition · Colored vinyl |
10 vinyl pressings of Happy Days are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and more. One of them is Combo Records RCSLP 2021.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCSLP 2021, OBS E 25301, 25301, LP-26139) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, COMBO-2021-A and COMBO-2021-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.
