Vinyl pressings
by Gary's Gang · 1979
Gangbusters was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
AL - 36240 - 1C S SterlingRunout area side A
BL - 36240 - 1B T SterlingRunout area side B
AL - 36240 - 1A STERLINGRunout area side A, Variant 1
BL - 36240 - 1A STERLINGRunout area side B, Variant 1
C △ XT AL-36240-1A STERLINGRunout Side A
C 2 STERLING O T/ BL-36240-1B *Runout Side B
AL 36240Label Side A
BL 36240Label Side B
DM-5 AL36240 · 1A · 2HZSide A runout area
DM-4 BL36240 · 1A · 2HZDSide B runout area
AL 36240A Side Label
BL 36240B Side Label
CBS 83936-1A Side Label
CBS 83936-2B Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | Columbia 20061 / Columbia 20.061First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Australia | CBS SBP 237369First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Costa Rica | CBS 100517First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Europe | CBS CBS 83936 / CBS JC 36240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5667First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Peru | CBS Columbia S.E.8464 / CBS Columbia SE-8464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Philippines | CBS/Sony LP-1366 (JC 36240) / Sam Records LP 1366 (JC 36240)First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2453First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36240 / SAM Productions JC 36240First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Columbia JC 36240 / SAM Productions JC 36240First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | Venezuela | CBS CS-10.348First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | Columbia JC 36240 / Sam Records JC 36240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Spain | CBS S 83936 / Sam Records S 83936LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Gangbusters are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36240.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36240, SBP 237369, 100517, CBS 83936) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL - 36240 - 1C S Sterling and BL - 36240 - 1B T Sterling. 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.
