Vinyl pressings
by Neil Diamond · 1986
Headed For The Future was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 16 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-40368 01-26952-2A-1Runout side A, variant 1, stamped/etched
PBL-40368 01-26952-1B-1Runout side B, variant 1, stamped/etched
PAL-40368 01-26952-1A-1 ARunout side A, variant 2, stamped/etched
PBL-40368 01-26952-2B-1 ARunout side B, variant 2, stamped/etched
CBS 26952 -A1Etched runout, side A
5 DStamped runout, side A
CBS 26952-B1Etched runout, side B
20 DStamped runout, side B
PAL-40368-1D GIRunout side A, var. 1
PBL-40368-1E GIRunout side B, var. 1
PAL-40368-1E GI D2Runout side A, var. 2
PBL-40368-1E GI A9Runout side B, var. 2
PAL-40368-1C P (p) 0Variant 1 Runout, Etched, Side A (Last 0 is Stamped)
PAL-40368-1C P (p)Variant 1 Runout, Etched, Side B
PAL-40368-1B P (p)Variant 2 Runout, Etched, Side A
PBL-40368-1B P (p)Variant 2 Runout, Etched, Side B
AL-40368-1A-2HZ: DM-14Runout Side A
A̶L̶- BL-40368-1A-2HZ: DM-14Runout Side B
AL 40368Label side A
BL 40368Label side B
SBP8169-1Run-out etching side A
SBP8169-2Run-out etching side B
MX 217237Label side A
MX 217238Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | CBS SBP 8169First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Discos CBS 138.676First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS CBS 26952 / CBS 26952First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | CBS CBS 26952 / CBS 26952LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | CBS CBS 26952First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | CBS CBS 26952First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony CYA 1180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | CBS CBS 26952 1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3195First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony 28AP 3195First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5858First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Portugal | CBS 26952First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Africa | CBS ASF 3111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | CBS S 26952First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | CBS CBS 26952First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | US | Columbia OC 40368 / JDC Records OC 40368LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Headed For The Future are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1986 and 2014.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is CBS CBS 26952.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CBS 26952, OC 40368, SBP 8169, 138.676) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-40368 01-26952-2A-1 and PBL-40368 01-26952-1B-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.
