Vinyl pressings
by Scorpions · 1978
Tokyo Tapes 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.
17 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 11 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.
CL·28331·A2Runout A, var. 1
RCA· CL · 28 331 - B PF · Manufactured in GermanyRunout B, var. 1
RCA · CL · 28331 · C PF · Manufactured in GermanyRunout C, var. 1
RCA - CL 28 331 - D PF · Manufactured in GermanyRunout D, var. 1
NL 28331-A-1E 'W' A2BSide A runout, etched, variant 1
NL 28331-B-1E 'W' A1TSide B runout, etched, variant 1
NL 28331-C-1E 'W' A1OSide C runout, etched, variant 1
NL 28331-D-1E 'W' A1OSide D runout, etched, variant 1
NL 28331 - A - 1E 'W' A4MA-side runout etched
NL 28331 - B - 1E 'W' A1AACB-side runout etched
NL 28331 - C - 2 A1 B 'W'C-side runout etched
NL 28331 - D - 2 A1 B 'W'D-side runout etched
NL 28331 - A - 1E Manufactured in Germany (stamped)A-side etched
NL 28331 - B - 1E Manufactured in Germany (stamped)B-side etched
NL 28331 - C - 1E Manufactured in Germany (stamped)C-side etched
NL 28331 - D - 1E Manufactured in Germany (stamped)D-side etched
CPL2-3039A-1 I A1Runout side A, variant 1
CPL2-3039B-3 I A1Runout side B, variant 1
CPL2-3039C-1 I A2Runout side C, variant 1
CPL2-3039D-1 I A2Runout side D, variant 1
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 | RCA Victor CPL2-3039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA CPL2-3039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | RCA CPL2-3039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Greece | RCA RCLP 20227/20228First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA RCA-9147~48First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA RCA-9147~48First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | RCA RCA-9147~48LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Portugal | RCA PL-28331First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | RCA NL 28331 (2) / RCA CL 28331First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | RCA NL 28331 (2)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | RCA NL 28331 (2) 2X TTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | RCA NL 28331 (2)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | RCA CPL2-3039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | RCA CPL2-3039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | RCA CL 28331 / RCA International CL 28331First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Italy | RCA CY 28331 (2)LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | RCA CY 28331 (2)LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA PL-28331 (2) / RCA Victor PL-28331LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA PL-28331 (2) / RCA Victor PL-28331LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA PL-28331 (2) / RCA Victor PL-28331LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA PL-28331 (2) / RCA Victor PL-28331LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA PL-28331 (2) / RCA Victor PL-28331LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | RCA PL-28331 (2) / RCA Victor PL-28331LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA International NL 70008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA International NL 70008 / RCA International NL 70008 (2)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Europe | RCA International NL 70008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Mexico | RCA MKLB-2012 / RCA MKLB-2012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Taiwan | 小雅唱片 15MP-67LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1984 | Brazil | RCA 121.7002LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | RCA International NL 70008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | BMG 538150141LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, All Media, Deluxe Edition | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, All Media, Deluxe Edition |
| 2018 | Japan | Sony Records Int'l SIJP 1008~912", Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | 12", Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Europe | BMG 538881351LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor CPL2-3039LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | RCA Victor CPL2-3039LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | RCA Victor CL 28331 / RCA CL 28331LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | RCA CL 28331LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | RCA CL 28331LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | RCA CL 28331 / RCA CL 28 331LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Greece | RCA RCLP 7029/30LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light D.25LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | South Korea | High Stereo Light BR 373LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Spain | RCA PL-28331 (2)LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
54 vinyl pressings of Tokyo Tapes are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1978 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, UK, US, France and more. One of them is RCA Extra CL 28 331, released August 15, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CL 28 331, NL 28331 (2), NL 28331 (2) 2X TT, CPL2-3039) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CL·28331·A2 and RCA· CL · 28 331 - B PF · Manufactured in Germany. 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.
