Vinyl pressings
by Stanley Clarke · 1984
Time Exposure was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. 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 1984, the album's first year, in 9 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.
G1 PAL-38688-1D ❀1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF 32Side A runout, variant 1
G1 PBL-38688-1C ❀2 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF 35Side B runout, variant 1
G1 PAL-38688-1D ❀1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF A12Side A runout, variant 2
o G1 PBL-38688-1D ❀2 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF A7Side B runout, variant 2
P PAL-38688-2A ❀1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIFSide A runout, variant 1
P PBL-38688-1E ❀2 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIFSide B runout, variant 1
P o PAL-38688-1G 1 ❀INT MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIFSide A runout, variant 2
P o PBL-38688 1F ❀1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF ASide B runout, variant 2
MX204351-CSide 1 Runout Etched
MX204352Side 2 Runout Etched
MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIFStamped Both Sides
ELPS 4433-1Side 1 Label
NL 01.25486-1A-1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF.Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
P A PAL-38688 IFRunout side A, etched, variant 1
NL 01.25486-1B-1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A.,CALIF.Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
P B PBL-38688-IE 2Runout side B, etched, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4433First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | Epic EPC 25486 / Epic 25486First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | Epic EPC 25486First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Jamaica | Epic FE 38688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Epic 25･3P-504First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | Epic 25 3P-504First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | South Africa | Epic KSF 2972 / CBS BL 38688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | Epic EPC 25486First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Epic FE 38688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | Epic FE 38688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | Epic FE 38688First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 25486 / Epic 25486LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Time Exposure are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Canada, Australia, Europe and more. One of them is Epic FE 38688.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FE 38688, ELPS 4433, EPC 25486, 25･3P-504) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, G1 PAL-38688-1D ❀1 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF 32 and G1 PBL-38688-1C ❀2 MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF 35. 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.
