Vinyl pressings
by Genesis · 1981
Abacab 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.
32 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 16 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.
CB388 A//4▽E TH 11 3 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
CB388 B//3▽E TH 11 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
CB388 A//4▽E TH \4 - 4 TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 2
CB388 B//3▽E TH 14 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 2
TOWN HOUSE Made in Germany 020 CB 388 A-1 II.A-side runout - variant 1
020 CB 388 B-2 II.TOWN HOUSE Made in GermanyB-side runout - variant 1
CB 388 A-1 020 Made in Germany TOWN HOUSEA-side runout - variant 2
CB 388 B-1 020 Made in Germany TOWN HOUSEB-side runout - variant 2
020 TOWN HOUSE CB 388 A-1 Made in GermanyA-side runout variant 1
020 CB 388 B-2 III TOWN HOUSE Made in GermanyB-side runout variant 1
020 CB 388 A-1 II. TOWN HOUSE Made in GermanyA-side runout variant 2
020 x̶- CB 388 B-1 + II, Made in Germany TOWN HOUSEB-side runout variant 2
CB388 A//3∇E TH 1 1 3 TOWNHOUSESide A runout variant 1
CB388 B//3∇E TH 1 1 1 TOWNHOUSESide B runout variant 1
CB388 A//4∇E TH 1 2 1 TOWNHOUSESide A runout variant 2
CB388 B//4∇E TH 1 1 1 U TOWNHOUSESide B runout variant 2
CB 388 A // 4 ∇ E TH 11 TOWNHOUSEA-side runout variant 1
CB 388 B // 4 ∇ E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 8B-side runout variant 1
CB 388 A // 3 ∇ E TH 11 TOWNHOUSEA-side runout variant 2
CB 388 B // 3 ∇ E TH TOWNHOUSE 1 1 9B-side runout 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 | Australasia | Vertigo 6000 711First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Vertigo 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Australia | Vertigo 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | Vertigo 6000 711 / Charisma 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Bolivia | Vertigo VRS - 30 - 10First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic MS 5820First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1981 | Canada | Atlantic MS 5820First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | France | Charisma 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | France | Charisma 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | Charisma 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | Charisma 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Charisma 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Vertigo 7PP-46First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Vertigo 7PP-46First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Charisma 6000 711First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Charisma CB 3887", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
37 vinyl pressings of Abacab are listed here, from 18 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, South Africa, Australasia and more. One of them is Charisma CB 388, released August 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CB 388, 3891, PR 416, TOS 1335) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CB388 A//4▽E TH 11 3 TOWNHOUSE and CB388 B//3▽E TH 11 1 TOWNHOUSE. 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.
