Vinyl pressings
by John Klemmer · 1978
Arabesque was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, 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.
AAB̶̷-1068-A-ID A 5 2 SXTSide A runout variant 1
TI AA-1068-B-I̶̷4 CSide B runout variant 1
AA-1068-A-IG E XS ISSide A runout variant 2
AA-1068-B-IG SX B 5SSide B runout variant 2
AA 1068-AS △23400 (3)Side A runout, variant 1
AA 1068 BS △23400-X (1)Side B runout, variant 1
AA 1068-AS △23400 (4)Side A runout, variant 2
AA 1068 BS △23400-X (2)Side B runout, variant 2
AA-1068-A SPSide A
AA-1068-B SPSide B
B- Keel - AA-1068-ASide A Runout
A [the flag of Great Brittian] AA 1068 BSSide B Runout
AA-1068-A-IG B 12Side A runout etched
AA 1068-BS-ICSide B runout etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-1068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | MCA Records MAA 1068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.731 / MCA Records AA-1068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8509-ABFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AA-1068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | MCA Records MCA-3705First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AA-1068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AA-1068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AA-1068 / ABC Records AA 1068First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AA-1068 / ABC Records AA 1068LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AA-1068 / ABC Records AA 1068LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | ABC Records AA-1068First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | MCA Records MCA-1585 / ABC Records AA-1068LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37015LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37015LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Arabesque are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada, Germany, Japan. One of them is ABC Records AA-1068.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AA-1068, MCA-3705, 9022-1068, MAA 1068) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AAB̶̷-1068-A-ID A 5 2 SXT and TI AA-1068-B-I̶̷4 C. 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.
