Vinyl pressings
by The Clash · 1977
Complete Control was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 3 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.
CBS-S-5664-A-2Runout, side A, variant 1
CBS-S-5664-B-2 TIM'SRunout, side B, variant 1
CBS-S-5664 A2 B 1GRunout, side A, variant 2
CBS-S-5664 B-2 TIM'S ARunout, side B, variant 2
CBS-S-5664-A-1 TIM'S 7Runout side A variant 1
CBS-S-5664-B-1 2 TY ARunout side B variant 1
CBS-S-5664-A-1 TIM'S ARunout side A variant 2
CBS-S-5664-B-1 2 TY C ARunout side B variant 2
CBS-S-5664-A-1 TIM'S A 1 3Runout A, variant 1
CBS-S-5664-B-1 1 1 TY ARunout B, variant 1
CBS-S-5664-A-1 TIM'S C 1 3Runout A, variant 2
CBS-S-5664-B-1 TY A 1 3Runout B, variant 2
CBS-S-5664-A-1 1 V TIM'SA side runout
CBS-S-5664-B-1 1 TY VB side runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Germany | CBS CBS S 5664First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS CBS S 5664First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Germany | CBS CBS S 5664First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Netherlands | CBS S CBS 5664First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5664 / CBS CBS 5664First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5664First year7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5664First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | CBS S CBS 5664 / CBS CBS 5664First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Spain | CBS CBS 56647", Single | 7", Single |
| 1978 | Spain | CBS CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1978 | Yugoslavia | CBS CBS 56647", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | UK | CBS CBS 5664 / CBS S CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Unknown | CBS CBS 56647", Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | CBS CBS S 5664 / CBS CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | CBS CBS 56647", Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | CBS CBS S 56647", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", Single, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | CBS CBS S 5664 / CBS CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Unknown | CBS CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial, Colored vinyl |
| ? | Europe | CBS CBS S 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 5664 / CBS S CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS S CBS 5664 / CBS CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 56647", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Complete Control are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1977 and 2010.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, Germany, Netherlands. One of them is CBS S CBS 5664, released September 23, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S CBS 5664, CBS S 5664) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS-S-5664-A-2 and CBS-S-5664-B-2 TIM'S. 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.
