Vinyl pressings
by Journey · 1983
Frontiers was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 22 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.
AL 38504 G1E CBS GA Cleo o G1A Side etched, except o stamped, Variant 1
BL-38504 G1A CBS-GA MKC o G1B Side etched, except o stamped, Variant 1
AL-38504 G1B CBSGA MKC D1 o G1A Side etched, except o stamped, Variant 2
BL-38504 G1B CBS-GA MKC A9 o G1B Side etched, except o stamped, Variant 2
G1 PAL-38504-1D MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 1
G1 PAL-38504-1AB B4 MASTERDISKRunout side B, variant 1
G1 PAL-38504-1A MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 2
G1 PBL-38504-1F MASTERDISKRunout side B, variant 2
(H-TR) P AL 38504 G1J G1 A37Side A, Etched - Variant 1
(HXAD) BL-38504 G1H G1 D1Side B, Etched - Variant 1
(H-AD) AL-38504 G1H G1 A3Side A, Etched - Variant 2
BL-38504 G1F G1 D1Side B, Etched - Variant 2
AL 38504 GIF Barry G1Side A runout
BL 38504 SIG Barry G1Side B runout
PAL-38504-1AH MASTERDISK D7 o G1A side runout, variant 1
PBL-38504-1AG MASTERDISK I10 o 1GB side runout, variant 1
PAL-38504-1AF MASTERDISK C6 o G1A side runout, variant 2
PBL-38504-1AF MASTERDISK B7 o G1B side runout, variant 2
G1 o AL-38504 G/E CBS GA Chet E/7Runout, Side A
G o BL-38504 G/A CBS-GA D MKC B6Runout, Side B
AL 38504Label, Side A
BL 38504Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | US | CBS CBS PBL-38504LP, Advance, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Advance, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1983 | Argentina | Columbia 20.401First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237893First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | CBS 138557 / CBS 138.557First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Colombia | CBS 14-1660First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Costa Rica | CBS 1100754First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS CBS 25261First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | CBS CBS 25261First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 2500First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Ireland | CBS CBS 25261First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Israel | CBS CBS 25261First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2500First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 2698LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2500First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 30AP 2532First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | Columbia 19658805801 / Legacy 19658805801LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, 7", Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, 7", Stereo |
| 2023 | US | Legacy 19658805801All Media, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, 7", Stereo | All Media, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, 7", Stereo |
| 2023 | US | Columbia 19658805801ALP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | Lee Ming Records Ltd. LMSP-013LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
41 vinyl pressings of Frontiers are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1982 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Argentina and more. One of them is Columbia QC 38504, released January 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use QC 38504, CBS 25261, 20.401, SBP 237893) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AL 38504 G1E CBS GA Cleo o G1 and BL-38504 G1A CBS-GA MKC o G1. 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.
