Vinyl pressings
by Herbie Hancock · 1977
V.S.O.P. was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 9 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.
PAL 34689-1H IT BSide A runout, variant 1
P BL34689 -1D TSide B runout, variant 1
PAL 34690 -1C IT o DSide C runout, variant 1
o P BL34690 -1D 1T ASide D runout, variant 1
P AL34689 1B [Etched: S1]Runout A, stamped
P BL34689 -1B [Etched: S1]Runout B, stamped
PAL 34690 -1A [Etched: S1 B3]Runout C, stamped
P BL34690 -1A [Etched: S1 C1]Runout D, stamped
P P AL 34689-1FA-side runout, first P is scribed
P BL34689 -1DB-side runout
P PAL 34690 -1EC-side runout, first P is scribed
P P BL34690 -1ED-side runout, first P is scribed
P AL34689-1E 2A PSide A runout stamped
P BL34689 -1E CA PSide B runout stamped
PAL 34690 -1E D PSide C runout stamped
P BL34690 -1E B PSide D runout stamped
PAL34689-1GSide A, scribed
PAL34689-1E DSide B, etched
PAL34690-1F B2 PSide C, etched
PAL34690-1E B2 PSide D, etched
o P AL34689-1C 1T ꓥ3Side A runout
P BL 34689-1D 1T CSide B runout
PAL 34690-1C 1T 1ꓥSide C runout
P BL34690-1C 1T o CSide D runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | CBS S2BP 220193First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Europe | CBS CBS 88235 / CBS 88235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Israel | CBS 88235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 530~1 / CBS/Sony 40AP530~1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 530~1 / CBS/Sony 40AP530~1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 40AP 530~1 / CBS/Sony 40AP530~1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Philippines | CBS/Sony LP-1156-7First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1977 | Spain | CBS S 88235 / CBS 81948First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | CBS S 88235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | CBS S 88235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 88235 / CBS S CBS 81948First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | CBS CBS 88235 / CBS S CBS 81948LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | US | Columbia AS 360First yearLP, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PG 34688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | Columbia PG 34688 / Columbia 34688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 88235 / CBS 88235LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS 88235 / CBS 88235LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
23 vinyl pressings of V.S.O.P. are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Columbia PG 34688, released April 15, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PG 34688, AS 360, CBS 88235, S2BP 220193) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL 34689-1H IT B and P BL34689 -1D T. 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.
