Vinyl pressings
by Melvin "Wah Wah" Watson · 1976
Elementary 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.
11 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 5 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.
PAL-34328-1CA Side (Variant 1)
PBL-34328-1CB Side (Variant 1)
PAL-34328-1CA Side (Var. 2 etched, barely legible)
P BL-34328-1BB Side (Variant 2 stamped)
P AL-34328-1B SX 2S D1Side A runout
P BL-34328-1A SX B2 1 SSide B runout
AL 34328Side A label
BL 34328Side B label
P AL 34328-1B SX 2 S DA-side runout groove inscription
P BL 34328-1A SX 1 SB-side runout groove inscription
AL 34328A-side label
BL 34328B-side label
PAL-34328-1CA Side runout etched
PBL-34328-1CB Side runout stamped
CBS S 81582•A1 ∧A side, stamped
CBS S 81582•B1 ∧B side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 81582First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Europe | CBS CBS 81582First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 249First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Columbia 25AP 249First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 239005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S 81582First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | CBS S 81582First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34328 / CBS PC 34328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34328First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | CBS 81582LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | US | Columbia PC 34328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | CBS PC 34328First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK & Europe | Soul WW 582LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
13 vinyl pressings of Elementary are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Europe, Japan and more. One of them is Columbia PC 34328.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PC 34328, S 81582, CBS 81582, 25AP 249) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-34328-1C and PBL-34328-1C. 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.
