Vinyl pressings
by Laura Nyro · 1976
Smile was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 7 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 330912-1A CRunout A, variant 1
P P BL 330912-1ARunout B, variant 1
P AL 330912-1A CRunout A, variant 2
P BL 330912-1A CRunout B, variant 2
o AL 33912-1C S I A2Runout A variant 1
o BL 33912-1C S I A5Runout B variant 1
o AL 33912-1C S I B10Runout A variant 2
o BL 33912-1C S I A6Runout B variant 2
o AL 33912-1B \ T A 12Runout side A
o BL 33912-1B \ T CRunout side B
AL 33912Label side A
BL 33912Label side B
AL 33912-1C slSide A runout (variant 1)
BL 33912-1C slSide B runout (variant 1)
AL 33912-1C S \ 3ASide A runout stamped, except S, \, 3, A etched (variant 2)
BL 33912-1C S l A4Side B runout stamped, except S, l, A, 4 etched (variant 2)
AL 33912-1B (stamped) 1T 8 0 D (etched)Side A runout (variant 1)
BL 33912-1B (stamped) 1T B (etched)Side B runout (variant 1)
AL 33912Side A label
BL 33912Side B label
CBS S 81171 A1Runout Side1 stamped
CBS S 81171 B1Runout Side2 stamped
PC 33912Label Side 1
PC 33912Label Side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234796First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PC 33912First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | CBS S 81171First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S 81171First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33912LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | Columbia C 33912 / Columbia 33912LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia C 33912 / Columbia 33912LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 54First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 54First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS SBP23496First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33912First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33912First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33912First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33912First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33912First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia C 33912LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Smile are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Japan, New Zealand and more. One of them is Columbia PC 33912, released February 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 33912, S 81171, 25AP 54, SBP23496) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 330912-1A C and P P BL 330912-1A. 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.
