Vinyl pressings
by Frank Marino · 1980
What's Next 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.
18 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 8 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.
1 S AL-36204-1F STERLING B 1Runout side A variant 1
1 S BL-36204-1F STERLING A 2Runout side B variant 1
1S AL-36204-1E STERLING A 6Runout side A variant 2
1S BL-36204-1F STERLING A 1Runout side B variant 2
AL 36204A Side Label
BL 36204B Side Label
AL-36204-IBA-Side
BL-36204-IAB-Side
AL-36204-IA sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRunout, side A, etched exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp
BL-36204-IA sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢRunout, side B, etched exc. sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamp
AL 36204Label, side A
BL 36204Label, side B
º T1 AL-36204-1G STERLING 8CSide A etched, exc. “º” and “STERLING” stamped, variant 1
º T1 BL-36204-1G STERLING 2CSide B etched, exc. “º” and “STERLING” stamped, variant 1
º T1 AL-36204-1G STERLING CSide A etched, exc. “º”,“STERLING” and "C" stamped, variant 2
º T1 BL-36204-1G STERLING B7Side B etched, exc. “º”, “STERLING” and "B"stamped, variant 2
AL-36204-IE STERLING C 1 PRunout Side A, variant 1
BL-36204-IA STERLING C 1 PRunout Side B, variant 1
AL-36204-1J I STERLING A PRunout Side A, variant 2
BL-36204•1A STERLING C PRunout Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237433First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS 83897 / CBS CBS 83897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS 83897 / CBS CBS 83897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | CBS 83897 / CBS CBS 83897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1797First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | CBS 83897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS 83897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS 83897 / CBS S CBS 83897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS 83897 / CBS CBS 83897First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36204First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36204First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36204First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36204First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36204First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36204First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS 83897 / CBS CBS 83897LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | CBS PC 36204LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36204LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of What's Next are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36204.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36204, 83897, SBP 237433, 25AP 1797) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 S AL-36204-1F STERLING B 1 and 1 S BL-36204-1F STERLING A 2. 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.
