Vinyl pressings
by Herbie Hancock 路 1980
Monster 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.
17 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 10 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.
P AL 36415-1CStamped Side A (Variant 1)
P BL 36415-1DStamped Side B (Variant 1)
P AL 36415-1EStamped Side A (Variant 2)
P AL 36415-1FStamped Side B (Variant 2)
P AL 36415-1B S1 B0A runout
P BL 36415-1C S1 B1B runout
AL 36415A label
BL 36415B label
AL 36415Label Side A
BL 36415Label Side B
p P AL 36415-1C
p P BL 36415-1D 饜悞
P AL 36415 CBS-S-84237-A1Runout side A
CBS-S-84237-B1 P BL 36415Runout side B
CBS 84237 A*Label side A
CBS 84237 B*Label side B
P AL 36415-1CStamped Side A
P BL 36415-1DStamped Side B
AL 36415Label Side A
BL 36415Label Side B
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 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Columbia JC 36415First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Colombia | CBS 14-1357First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Europe | CBS CBS 84237 / CBS 84237First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 1854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2503First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Spain | CBS S 84237First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | CBS CBS 84237First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36415First yearLP, Album, Promo 路 Promo | LP, Album, Promo 路 Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1854First yearLP, Album, Promo 路 Promo | LP, Album, Promo 路 Promo |
| 1980 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1854First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237451First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Australia | CBS SBP 237451First yearLP, Album, Promo 路 Promo | LP, Album, Promo 路 Promo |
| 1980 | UK | Columbia JC 36415First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label 路 Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label 路 Promo |
| 1980 | US | Columbia JC 36415First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | Harmony 148090 / Harmony 148.090LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36415LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 36415LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Monster are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia JC 36415, released March 28, 1980.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 36415, CBS 84237, 25AP 1854, SBP 237451) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 36415-1C and P BL 36415-1D. 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.
