Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1981
Tinsel Town Rebellion 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.
16 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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 kdisc [JH monogram] A4 S2 A̶I̶D̶ PW2-37337 - AL - Re -1 - 1A 0 SXTSide A runout, variant 1
kdisc [JH monogram] J̶ J4 SXT S2 PW2-37338-AL - 1BSide B runout, variant 1
kdisc [JH monogram] A 6 S2 PW-2 37338 -BL- 1C SXTSide C runout, variant 1
kdisc [JH monogram] E4 SXT S1 PW2-37337-BL -1BSide D runout, variant 1
XS ℯ S PW2-37337-AL-Re-1-1A C① kdisc ƒSide A runout, etched, variant 1
XS \ S PW2P⃫W⃫L⃫-37338-AL-1A kdisc ƒSide B runout, etched, variant 1
XS \ S PW-2 37338-BL-1C kdisc ƒSide C runout, etched, variant 1
\ S PW2-37337-BL-1B SX kdisc ƒ DSide D runout, etched, variant 1
OSVALDO (OZZY) 1S PW2-37337-AL-Re-1-1A D① kdisc ƒSide 1 runout, etched, variant 1
2S PW2-37338-AL-1B kdisc ƒSide 2 runout, etched, variant 1
OSVALDO (OZZY) S PW2-37338-BL -1C kdisc ƒSide 3 runout, etched, variant 1
2S PW2-37337-BL -1B kdisc ƒSide 4 runout, etched, variant 1
CBS. S. 88516-A1A-side run-out, hand-etched
CBS. S. 88516 B2B-side run-out, hand-etched
CBS. S. 88516 C2C-side run-out, hand-etched
CBS. S. 88516 D1D-side run-out, hand-etched
AGP-103-4A·Side 1 Etched
AGP-103-4B·Side 2 Etched
AGP-103-4CSide 3 Etched
AGP-103-4DSide 4 Etched
∧ MX194060-B SBP237583-1 ② kdisc ∫¬Runout, Side A
kdisc ∫¬ MX194061 SBP7583-2 2Runout, Side B
3 MX194062 SBP7583-3 kdisc ∫¬Runout, Side C
4 MX194063 SBP7584-4 kdisc ∫¬Runout, Side D
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 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220239First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220239 / CBS SBP 237584First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Canada | Epic PW2 37336 / Epic PW2-37336First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | CBS C2L-18First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Europe | CBS 88516 / CBS CBS 88516First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | CBS 88516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | CBS CBS 88516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 2082-3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 2082-3First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | CBS S2BP 220239First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | CBS S 88516First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records PW2 37336First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records PW2 37336 / Barking Pumpkin Records PW2-37336First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records PW2 37336 / Barking Pumpkin Records PW2-37336First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | South Africa | CBS AGP 103/104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
22 vinyl pressings of Tinsel Town Rebellion are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is Barking Pumpkin Records PW2 37336.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PW2 37336, CBS 88516, AGP 103/104, S2BP 220239) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ① kdisc [JH monogram] A4 S2 A̶I̶D̶ PW2-37337 - AL - Re -1 - 1A 0 SXT and kdisc [JH monogram] J̶ J4 SXT S2 PW2-37338-AL - 1B. 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.
