Vinyl pressings
by The Clash · 1978
Tommy Gun 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.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 4 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 6788 A 2Runout, side A. Var. 1
CBS S 6788 B 3 ALLENRunout, side B. Var. 1
CBS S 6788 A 1Runout, side A. Var. 2
CBS S 6788 B 2 ALLENRunout, side B. Var. 2
CBS S 6788 A 2A-side runout variant 1
CBS S 6788 B 2 ALLENB-side runout variant 1
CBS S 6788 A 1A-side runout variant 2
CBS S 6788 B 3 ALLENB-side runout variant 2
CBS S 6788 A 1Runout, side A
CBS S 6788 B 3 ALLENRunout, side B
CBS-S.6788-A-1 ASide A runout etched / stamped, variant 1
CBS-S.6788.B.2 ALLENSide B runout etched, variant 1
CBS-S.6788.A-2 A 2 0Side A runout etched / stamped, variant 2
CBS S-6788.B.2. 2 8 A ALLENSide B runout etched / stamped, variant 2
CBS S 6788 A 2Runout, side A. Var. 1
CBS S 6788 B 3 ALLENRunout, side B. Var. 1
CBS-S-6788-A-1Runout Side A Var.2
CBS-S-6788-B-2 ALLENRunout Side B Var.2
CBS-S - 6788 - A-2 C CSide A, Variant 1, etched [C C stamped]
CBS-S - 6788 - B-3 C ALLENSide B, Variant 1, etched [C stamped]
CBS-S - 6788 - A-1 CSide A, Variant 2, etched [last 'C' stamped]
CBS-S - 6788 - B-3 C ALLENSide B, Variant 2, etched [last 'C' and 'ALLEN' 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222487First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Australia | CBS BA 222487First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Europe | CBS CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6788 / CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6788 / CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6788 / CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6788 / CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | CBS S CBS 6788 / CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6788 / CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | CBS S CBS 6788 / CBS 6788First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 67887", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | CBS CBS 67887", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | CBS 67887", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| ? | UK | CBS 67887", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
17 vinyl pressings of Tommy Gun are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, Ireland, Australia, Europe. One of them is CBS S CBS 6788, released November 24, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S CBS 6788, 6788, BA 222487, CBS 6788) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CBS S 6788 A 2 and CBS S 6788 B 3 ALLEN. 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.
