Vinyl pressings
by Maynard Ferguson · 1978
Carnival 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.
14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
MASTERDISKStamped
AL-35480-1A MASTERDISK RLSide 1, etched, Variant 1
BL-35480-1A MASTERDISK RLSide 2, etched, Variant 1
AL-35480-1D MASTERDISK RLSide 1, etched, Variant 2
o AL 35480-1H TSide 1 Runout Stamped & Etched
T1 Bl-35480-1BSide 2 Runout Etched
o T1 AL-35480-1B MASTERDISK RL DSide 1 Runout etched; o, MASTERDISK, D stamped
o T1 BL-35480 - 1B D12Side 2 Runout etched; o, D stamped
AL-35480-1D XG RL MASTERDISKSide 1 Runout Stamped & Etched
BL-35480-1D XGSide 2 Runout Etched
AL-35480-1A MASTERDISK RLSide 1, etched; "MASTERDISK" stamped
BL-35480-1A MASTERDISK RLSide 2, etched; "MASTERDISK" stamped
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 | Australia | CBS SBP 237245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 82999First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | CBS CBS 82999First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 1004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Columbia SBP 237245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | CBS ASF 2194First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35480First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Columbia PC 35480First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35480First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | CBS JC 35480First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35480First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Columbia PC 35480First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Columbia JC 35480First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia PC 35480First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Carnival are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Columbia JC 35480.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JC 35480, PC 35480, SBP 237245, CBS 82999) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MASTERDISK and AL-35480-1A MASTERDISK RL. 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.
