Vinyl pressings
by Walter Egan · 1978
Magnet And Steel / Tunnel O' Love 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.
14 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 8 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.
T ZSS 164243-1CVariant 1 runout side A
T ZSS 164243-1CVariant 1 runout side B
T1 ZSS 164243-1DVariant 2 runout side A
T ZSS 164244-1EVariant 2 runout side B
ZSS 164243-1D A pA Side, runout, etched / except A p stamped
ZSS 164244-3D pB Side, runout, etched / except p stamped
ZSS 164243A Side, label
ZSS 164244B Side, label
ZSS 164243-1A SSSSide A Runout, etched
ZSS 164244-2B SSide B Runout, etched
ZSS 164243Side A Label
ZSS 164244Side B Label
ZSP 164242-1ASide A
7 ZSS 164243-1CSide B
ZSP 164242-1AMono Side
7 ZSS 164243-1BStereo Side
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 | Brazil | Discos CBS 34012First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | Columbia 3-10719First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Colombia | CBS 43420First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | Polydor 2001 796First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Jamaica | Columbia 3-10719First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Mexico | Polydor 996First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Peru | CBS Columbia CSR 1034First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | Columbia AS 461First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10719First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10719First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10719First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10719First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10719First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Columbia 3-10719 / Silver Cloud 3-10719First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of Magnet And Steel / Tunnel O' Love are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Brazil, Canada, Colombia and more. One of them is Columbia 3-10719, released April 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 3-10719, AS 461, 34012, 43420) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T ZSS 164243-1C and T ZSS 164243-1C. 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.
