Vinyl pressings
by Maynard Ferguson · 1976
Primal Scream 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 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.
o P AL 33953-3BSide A runout stamped (variant 1)
P BL-33953 2C o DSide B runout stamped (variant 1)
\TSide A&B runout etched (variant 1)
P AL 33953-3BSide A runout stamped (variant 2)
P AL 33953-3E ARunout Side A Stamped
P o BL 33953-2J COLUMBIA NY ARunout Side B Etched
PAL 33953-3DRunout Side A Stamped
P BL 33953-2ERunout Side B Stamped
A MX176922 SBP234811-1Runout SideA Etched
A MX176923 SBP234811-2Runout SideB Etched
MX176922Label Side A
MX176923Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | CBS SBP 234811First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia PC 33953First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Columbia KC 33953First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 81150First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP-8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP-8First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5517First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | CBS S 81150First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S 81150 / CBS CBS 81150First yearLP | LP |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33953First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33953First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 33953First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33953LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia PC 33953LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
14 vinyl pressings of Primal Scream are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia PC 33953.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 33953, S 81150, SBP 234811, KC 33953) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o P AL 33953-3B and P BL-33953 2C o D. 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.
