Vinyl pressings
by Joe Renda · 1980
Eugene 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.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 4 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.
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. p NB-2298-AS CP-2Scribed in runout side A
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. p NB-2298-BS CP-2Scribed in runout side B
NB 2298 ASA-Side Label
NB 2298 BSB-Side Label
NB-2298-AS PRC-E-2-1-11 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side A etched, MASTERED...stamped
NB-2298-BS PRC-E-1-1-1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout side B etched, MASTERED...stamped
NB 2298 ASLabel side A
NB 2298 BSLabel side B
NB-2298-AM SM-2 SS (stamped)MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ LA, CALIF.A Side Runout
NB-2298-AS SM-2 SS (stamped)MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ LA, CALIF.B Side Runout
(NB 2298 AM)Label A
(NB 2298 AS)Label B
NB-2298-AS long-BW1 (stamped AT ALLEN ZENTZ LA, CALIF.A Side Runout
NB-2298-AS short RE-1 BW1 (stamped)MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ LA, CALIF.B Side Runout
NB 2298 AS LongLabel A
NB 2298 AS Short RELabel 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 | Germany | Casablanca 6180 017First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Germany | Casablanca 6180 016First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Casablanca 6180 028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | Jigsaw Records JIG 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | US | Casablanca NB 2298 DJFirst year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Casablanca NB 2298First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Casablanca NBD 20233 DJFirst year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1980 | US | Casablanca NB 2298 DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1980 | US | Casablanca NB 2298First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | Casablanca NB 2298First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | Mumbo Records, Inc CJ118312", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
11 vinyl pressings of Eugene are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Germany, Netherlands. One of them is Casablanca NB 2298.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NB 2298, NB 2298 DJ, NBD 20233 DJ, JIG 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. p NB-2298-AS CP-2 and MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. p NB-2298-BS CP-2. 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.
