Vinyl pressings
by Maynard Ferguson · 1974
Chameleon was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 6 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 0 P AL 33007-2BSide A Stamped
P X P BL 33007-2B B 1Side B Stamped [1 Etched]
P AL 33007-2BSide A Stamped [no further marks]
P BL 33007-2BSide B Stamped [no further marks]
C P AL 33007-2C 1TSide A Stamped (1T etched)
PBL 33007-2E1TSide B Etched
AL 33007Label side A
BL 33007Label side B
CBS-S-80216-AIRunout side A
CBS-S-80216-BIRunout side B
S 80216 ALabel side A
S 80216 BLabel side B
AL-33007-1A-2HDA:A runout etched
BL-33007-1A-2HDA:B runout etched
AL 33007A label matrix
BL 33007B label matrix
AL-33007-1A-2HDA:A runout etched
BL-33007-1A-2HDA:B runout etched
AL 33007A label matrix
BL 33007B label matrix
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | CBS SBP 234558First yearLP, Album, Partially Mixed, Stereo | LP, Album, Partially Mixed, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Columbia KC 33007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Columbia KC 33007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Europe | CBS CBS 80216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPM 138First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | CBS S 80216First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Columbia KC 33007First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Columbia PC 33007First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | CBS/Sony 23AP 664LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33007LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
12 vinyl pressings of Chameleon are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1974 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia KC 33007.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 33007, PC 33007, S 80216, SBP 234558) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P 0 P AL 33007-2B and P X P BL 33007-2B B 1. 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.
