CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton

CBS Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton

Profile:
UK record pressing and tape duplication plant in Buckinghamshire, run by CBS United Kingdom Ltd. from September 1964 until end of January 1991.
Prior to the CBS take-over, the plant was Levy's, Pressing Plant, Aston Clinton, part of the Levy brothers music empire, which included Levy's Sound Studios.
Until 1964, CBS UK pressings were done under a distribution agreement with Philips Records Ltd. between 1962 and Sep 1964. It was also known as Oriole Pressing Plant.
The plant relocated from Aston Clinton to nearby Aylesbury in 1980. Construction began in March 1978 and the official opening was on 20 June 1980.
The new press room then had 40 automatic Hamilton presses for LP production, and 20 SMT and MAP presses for singles.
The plant also included the printing of covers and labels.
The last record pressed in January 1991 was Motörhead's 1916. The plant was then converted into a video duplication plant and all CBS records were subsequently pressed by CBS in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

How to identify vinyl pressed by CBS UK:
Runouts:
Between ca. 1970 and 1976, the runout information was fully stamped.
The runouts have identifiers at 12 o’clock, at 3 o’clock and at 9 o’clock.

The matrix is found at 12 o'clock, horizontally - rather than following the circumference of the runout, as found on Philips/Phonogram pressings. The matrix includes the cat. no. (e.g. CBS·S2329), the side identifier (A, B, etc.) and the cut / father number (1, 2, etc., where 1 appears as I). The individual parts can be separated either by dots, or hyphens or blanks, except the side identifiers and cut numbers which are not separated (e.g. A1, A2).

At three o'clock there usually are one or two numbers; very faintly stamped / barely legible. They stand for the stampers. Because every number is punched separately, 25 may appear as 2 5.

At 9 o’clock there usually is a letter, also very faintly stamped. This is a mother indicator and should not be used as Pressing Plant ID (PPID). The most common letter is appearing either as sideways Λ (broken A) or as ∴ (3 dots in a pyramid), but is in fact an A. On high volume releases there may be other "shallow" letters such as B, C, D, etc., appearing as [ (a broken circle for B or C) or [) (two brackets for D). Please do not add the symbols into the Runout fields but use the letters they stand for (e.g. use A instead of Λ).

Around 1977, the stamped matrix was replaced by a hand-etched legend but the layout remained the same, i.e. at 12, 3 and 9 o'clock, respectively. Again, the individual parts can either be separated by dots, or hyphens or blanks, including the side identifier and cut/father number (e.g. A-1, B-1).

CBS UK contract pressing matrices may vary and be hand-etched on a radial curve (still, the matrix is usually at 12 o'clock).

Pressing rings:
CBS Aston Clinton 12”/LP pressings have a double-dip “label design” with two pressing rings:
a) a 32 mm diameter inner ring with 2 different shapes, a single line (see label image A) or two concentric lines (see label image B); the two variants can be found in various combinations on both sides of the same record;
b) a 63 mm diameter outer ring, marking the gently raised outer part of the label area, about half way between the smaller ring and the label edge (see images).

Important notes:
- Identical pressing rings can be found on pressings from WEA West Drayton (until 1983) and MVS Record Pressing (since 1983).
- Similar pressing rings (33+63 mm) can be found on pressings from Carlton Productions (IRL), Damont, and Lyntone, but there usually are specific identifiers for them.
- ‘Made in England’ is usually found on the labels and can help to not confuse with Dutch CBS pressings (using the same ring configuration).

7” centres:
CBS UK normally pressed 7"s with solid centres or 4 prong centres. However, they did experiment with dinked centres (and spiders) between March and May 1976 but had to give it up due to negative dealer feedback. It is unknown to what extent, and for which releases dinked singles were manufactured by CBS, but it has to be considered very limited only.
Parent Label:
Contact Info:
Since June 1980:
Rabans Lane
Aylesbury,
Buckinghamshire HP19 8TS
England
[obsolete]

Label

Releases

Status Catalog Number  Image Artist Title ( Format) Label Catalog Number  Country Year Actions
1 C 062-04 243 The Beatles - Abbey Road The Beatles Abbey Road(LP, Album, RE) Apple Records 1 C 062-04 243 Germany 1974 Sell This Version
1C 072-90 749 Deep Purple, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Malcolm Arnold - Concerto For Group And Orchestra Deep Purple, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Malcolm Arnold Deep Purple, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Malcolm Arnold - Concerto For Group And Orchestra(LP, Album, RP) Harvest 1C 072-90 749 Germany Unknown Sell This Version
1E 048 ○ 92724 The Dave Clark Five -  Play Good Old Rock & Roll (18 Golden Oldies) The Dave Clark Five Play Good Old Rock & Roll (18 Golden Oldies)(LP, Comp) Starline, EMI 1E 048 ○ 92724 Sweden 1972 Sell This Version
7N 46035 Brian & Michael (Burke & Jerk)* - Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs (Lowry's Song) Brian & Michael (Burke & Jerk)* Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs (Lowry's Song)(7", Sol) Pye Records 7N 46035 UK 1977 Sell This Version
7SAV 106 Soho (2) - Hippychick Soho (2) Hippychick(7", Single) S And M 7SAV 106 UK 1991 Sell This Version
7SR 5018 Judas Priest - Judas Priest Judas Priest Judas Priest(7", Album, Comp) Scoop 33 7SR 5018 UK 1983 Sell This Version
7SR 5031 Dana (9) - Dana Dana (9) Dana(7", Album, Comp) Scoop 33 7SR 5031 UK 1983 Sell This Version
7SR 5037 Love Affair* - Love Affair Love Affair* Love Affair(7", Album, Comp) Scoop 33 7SR 5037 UK 1984 Sell This Version
7SR 5045 The Marmalade - Marmalade The Marmalade Marmalade(7", Album, Comp) Scoop 33 7SR 5045 UK 1984 Sell This Version
7 YAZ 001 Yazoo - Don't Go Yazoo Don't Go(7", Single) Mute 7 YAZ 001 UK 1982 Sell This Version
8C 062-37452 Hungry John With His Bergen Blues Band - Blues Hit Me Hungry John With His Bergen Blues Band Hungry John With His Bergen Blues Band - Blues Hit Me(LP, Album) Harvest, EMI 8C 062-37452 Norway 1983 Sell This Version
12 BRO 67 Motörhead - Overkill Motörhead Overkill(12", Pla) Bronze 12 BRO 67 UK 1979 Sell This Version
12 FAA 106 The Dave Howard Singers - Rock On The Dave Howard Singers Rock On(12") Fun After All 12 FAA 106 UK 1986 Sell This Version
12 FTC 178 Creedence Clearwater Revival - I Heard It Through The Grapevine Creedence Clearwater Revival I Heard It Through The Grapevine(12") Fantasy 12 FTC 178 UK 1979 Sell This Version
12KTP 6 Kissing The Pink - Radio On Kissing The Pink Radio On(12", Single) Magnet (2), Magnet (2) 12KTP 6 UK 1984 Sell This Version
12 KTP 7 Kissing The Pink - The Other Side Of Heaven Kissing The Pink The Other Side Of Heaven(12") Magnet (2) 12 KTP 7 UK 1985 Sell This Version
12 KTP 8 Kissing The Pink - One Step Kissing The Pink One Step(12") Magnet (2), Magnet (2) 12 KTP 8 UK 1985 Sell This Version
12 KTP 8R Kissing The Pink - One Step (Special Club Remix) Kissing The Pink One Step (Special Club Remix)(12", W/Lbl) Magnet (2) 12 KTP 8R UK 1986 Sell This Version
12KTP 9 Kissing The Pink - Certain Things Are Likely Kissing The Pink Certain Things Are Likely(12") Magnet (2), Magnet (2) 12KTP 9 UK 1987 Sell This Version
12 KTP 10 K T P* - Never Too Late To Love You K T P* Never Too Late To Love You(12") Magnet (2), Magnet (2) 12 KTP 10 UK 1986 Sell This Version
12 KUT 126 Stryper - Calling On You Stryper Calling On You(12") Music For Nations 12 KUT 126 UK 1986 Sell This Version
12 LAMP 11 David Essex - Back In England For Christmas (Extended Version) David Essex Back In England For Christmas (Extended Version)(12") Lamplight Music 12 LAMP 11 UK 1986 Sell This Version
12 LTD 444 Colm III - Take Me High Colm III Take Me High(12") Ruby Red Records 12 LTD 444 UK 1987 Sell This Version
12 MEZZO 2 Mezzoforte - No Limit Mezzoforte No Limit(12") Funkin' Marvellous Records, Funkin' Marvellous Records 12 MEZZO 2 UK 1987 Sell This Version
12 REV 36 The Stone Roses - Sally Cinnamon The Stone Roses Sally Cinnamon(12", Single) Black (2) 12 REV 36 UK 1987 Sell This Version
12 ZOE 1 Zoé* - Fever Zoé* Fever(12") Amidisque, Amidisque 12 ZOE 1 UK 1986 Sell This Version
12ZTAS 7 Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Welcome To The Pleasuredome Frankie Goes To Hollywood Welcome To The Pleasuredome(12", Single) ZTT 12ZTAS 7 Ireland 1985 Sell This Version
25AP 1851 KC & The Sunshine Band - Greatest Hits KC & The Sunshine Band Greatest Hits(LP, Comp) T.K. Records, T.K. Records 25AP 1851 Singapore & Malaysia 1980 Sell This Version
50 DA 308 Geraldo And His Orchestra - 50 Hits Of The Naughty 40's Geraldo And His Orchestra 50 Hits Of The Naughty 40's(2xLP) Pickwick Records, Pickwick Records 50 DA 308 UK Unknown Sell This Version
50DA 319 The Bruce Baxter Orchestra & Guitar* - 50 Smash Hit Guitar Extravaganza The Bruce Baxter Orchestra & Guitar* 50 Smash Hit Guitar Extravaganza(2xLP, Ast) Pickwick Records 50DA 319 UK 1977 Sell This Version
50DA 320 The Pickwick Gang* - 50 Pop Hits Country Style The Pickwick Gang* 50 Pop Hits Country Style(2xLP) Pickwick Records 50DA 320 UK 1978 Sell This Version
50DA 321 Various - 50 Rock & Roll Greats Various 50 Rock & Roll Greats (Comp) 50DA 321 UK Unknown Sell This Version
0250 1 Anna Lotta Larsson* - Tidvatten Anna Lotta Larsson* Tidvatten(LP, Album) Frituna, Frituna 0250 1 Sweden 1990 Sell This Version
1247 7 Lasse Stefanz - Mot Nya Mål Lasse Stefanz Mot Nya Mål(7", Single) Frituna 1247 7 Sweden 1989 Sell This Version
15-35 Various - The Magic Of The Street Organ Various The Magic Of The Street Organ(LP, Album) Gold Star 15-35 UK 1975 Sell This Version
2390 John Barry - Vendetta / The Danny Scipio Theme John Barry Vendetta / The Danny Scipio Theme (Single) 2390 UK 1966 Sell This Version
2552 Peter, Paul And Mary* - The Best Of Peter, Paul And Mary: 10 (Ten) Years Together Peter, Paul And Mary* The Best Of Peter, Paul And Mary: 10 (Ten) Years Together(LP, Comp, RE, Gre) Warner Bros. Records, Warner Bros. Records, Warner Bros. Records 2552 UK Unknown Sell This Version
2557 Andre Brasseur* - The Kid Andre Brasseur* The Kid 2557 UK 1970 Sell This Version
2700 Bob Dylan - Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat / Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine Bob Dylan Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat / Most Likely You Go Your Way And I'll Go Mine(7", Single) CBS 2700 UK 1967 Sell This Version
2718 Lou Christie - Shake Hands And Walk Away Cryin' Lou Christie Shake Hands And Walk Away Cryin' (Single) 2718 UK 1967 Sell This Version
2751 Johnny Devlin - Hurtin' Johnny Devlin Hurtin'(7", Single, Promo, Sol) CBS 2751 UK 1967 Sell This Version
2816 Scott McKenzie - San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair) Scott McKenzie San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)(7", Single, 4-P) CBS 2816 UK 1967 Sell This Version
2924 The Byrds - Lady Friend The Byrds Lady Friend(7", Single, Mono) CBS 2924 UK 1967 Sell This Version
3018 OMD* Dazzle Ships(LP, Album) Virgin 3018 1983 Sell This Version
3051 Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac* - I Believe My Time Ain't Long Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac* I Believe My Time Ain't Long(7", Single, RE) Blue Horizon, CBS 3051 UK 1969 Sell This Version
3110 The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett* - Woman, Woman The Union Gap Featuring Gary Puckett* Woman, Woman(7", Single) CBS 3110 UK 1967 Sell This Version
3124 Georgie Fame - The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde Georgie Fame The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde (Single) 3124 UK 1967 Sell This Version
3211 Anita Harris - Anniversary Waltz Anita Harris Anniversary Waltz(7", Single) CBS 3211 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3412 The Marmalade - Lovin' Things The Marmalade Lovin' Things (Single) 3412 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3526 Georgie Fame - By The Time I Get To Phoenix Georgie Fame By The Time I Get To Phoenix(7", Mono, Sol) CBS 3526 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3550 The Boots (5) - The Animal In Me (Ricordati Di Me) The Boots (5) The Animal In Me (Ricordati Di Me)(7", Single, Promo) CBS 3550 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3598 Tim Rose - Long Haired Boy Tim Rose Long Haired Boy(7", Single) CBS 3598 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3674 The Love Affair - A Day Without Love The Love Affair A Day Without Love(7", Single) CBS 3674 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3705 Barbra Streisand - Funny Girl Barbra Streisand Funny Girl (7", Single) CBS 3705 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3758 The New Christy Minstrels - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang The New Christy Minstrels Chitty Chitty Bang Bang(7", Single) CBS 3758 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3764 The Gun - Race With The Devil The Gun Race With The Devil (Single) 3764 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3892 The Marmalade - Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da The Marmalade Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da (Single) 3892 UK 1968 Sell This Version
3994 Love Affair* - One Road Love Affair* One Road(7", Single, Kno) CBS 3994 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4116 Blood, Sweat & Tears* - You've Made Me So Very Happy Blood, Sweat & Tears* You've Made Me So Very Happy(7", Single) CBS 4116 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4158 Microbe (4) / The Microbop Ensemble - Groovy Baby / Your Turn Now Microbe (4) / The Microbop Ensemble Microbe (4) / The Microbop Ensemble - Groovy Baby / Your Turn Now(7", Single, Sol) CBS 4158 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4162 Simon & Garfunkel - The Boxer Simon & Garfunkel The Boxer(7", Single, Sol) CBS 4162 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4187 Spiral Starecase - More Today Than Yesterday Spiral Starecase More Today Than Yesterday (Single) 4187 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4219 Bob Dylan - I Threw It All Away Bob Dylan I Threw It All Away(7", Single, 4 P) CBS 4219 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4227 Nina Shaw - One Fine Day Nina Shaw One Fine Day(7", Single) CBS 4227 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4405 Principal Edwards Magic Theatre - Ballad (Of The Big Girl Now And A Mere Boy) Principal Edwards Magic Theatre Ballad (Of The Big Girl Now And A Mere Boy)(7", Single) Dandelion Records 4405 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4410 Betty Wright - Betty Travelin' In The Wright Circle Betty Wright Betty Travelin' In The Wright Circle(LP, Album, W/Lbl) Alston Records 4410 UK 1979 Sell This Version
4434 Bob Dylan - Lay Lady Lay Bob Dylan Lay Lady Lay (Single) 4434 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4435 Oliver (6) - Good Morning Starshine Oliver (6) Good Morning Starshine(7", Single, Kno) CBS 4435 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4494 Clague - The Stride Clague The Stride(7", Single) Dandelion Records 4494 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4496 Steamhammer - Autumn Song Steamhammer Autumn Song(7", Single) CBS 4496 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4572 The Byrds - I Wasn't Born To Follow The Byrds I Wasn't Born To Follow (7", Single) CBS 4572 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4582 The Tremeloes - (Call Me) Number One The Tremeloes (Call Me) Number One (Single) 4582 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4631 The Love Affair - Baby I Know The Love Affair Baby I Know (Single) 4631 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4715 Chicago (2) - I'm A Man / Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Chicago (2) I'm A Man / Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? (Single) 4715 UK 1969 Sell This Version
4727 U2 - Pac 3 U2 Pac 3(4x7" + Comp, Ltd) CBS, CBS, CBS, CBS 4727 Ireland 1985 Sell This Version
4780 The Love Affair - Lincoln County The Love Affair Lincoln County(7", Single, Mono) CBS 4780 UK 1970 Sell This Version
4781 Mike Hart - Yawney Morning Song Mike Hart Yawney Morning Song(7", Single) Dandelion Records 4781 UK 1970 Sell This Version
4818 Andy Williams - Can't Help Falling In Love Andy Williams Can't Help Falling In Love (Single) 4818 UK 1970 Sell This Version
4911 Christie - Yellow River Christie Yellow River (Single) 4911 UK 1970 Sell This Version
4953 Ray Stevens - Everything Is Beautiful Ray Stevens Everything Is Beautiful(7", Single, Sol) CBS 4953 UK 1970 Sell This Version
5017 The Love Affair - Speak Of Peace, Sing Of Joy The Love Affair Speak Of Peace, Sing Of Joy(7", Single, Mono) CBS, CBS 5017 UK 1970 Sell This Version
5076 Chicago (2) - 25 Or 6 To 4 Chicago (2) 25 Or 6 To 4 (Single) 5076 UK 1970 Sell This Version
5102 Salamander (10) - Crystal Ball Salamander (10) Crystal Ball (Single) 5102 UK 1970 Sell This Version
5139 The Tremeloes - Me And My Life The Tremeloes Me And My Life (Single) 5139 UK 1970 Sell This Version
5169 Christie - San Bernadino Christie San Bernadino(7", Single, Mono, Sol) CBS, CBS 5169 UK 1970 Sell This Version
5360 Lynn Anderson - Rose Garden Lynn Anderson Rose Garden(7", Single, Pus) CBS 5360 UK 1971 Sell This Version
5365 Titanic (3) - Sing Fool Sing Titanic (3) Sing Fool Sing (7", Single, 4-P) CBS 5365 UK 1971 Sell This Version
5429 The Tremeloes - Right Wheel, Left Hammer, Sham The Tremeloes Right Wheel, Left Hammer, Sham(7", Single, Sol) CBS 5429 UK 1971 Sell This Version
6495 Various - CBS Rockabilly Various CBS Rockabilly(7", EP, Comp, Mono) CBS, CBS 6495 UK 1978 Sell This Version
6496 Jeff Wayne - Extrait E la Musique Originale de Jeff Wayne la Guerre Des Mondes Jeff Wayne Extrait E la Musique Originale de Jeff Wayne la Guerre Des Mondes(7", Single) CBS 6496 France 1978 Sell This Version
8323 The Clash - Bankrobber The Clash Bankrobber (Single) 8323 UK 1980 Sell This Version
8402 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Cosmo's Factory Creedence Clearwater Revival Cosmo's Factory (Album) 8402 Scandinavia 1970 Sell This Version
8929 Gilbert O'Sullivan - What's In A Kiss Gilbert O'Sullivan What's In A Kiss(7", Inj) CBS, CBS 8929 UK 1980 Sell This Version
10006 Andy Williams - Reflections Andy Williams Reflections(LP, Album, Comp) CBS, CBS, CBS 10006 UK 1977 Sell This Version
10019 Johnny Mathis - Tears And Laughter Johnny Mathis Tears And Laughter(LP, Comp) CBS, CBS 10019 UK 1980 Sell This Version
10020 Various - The Guinness Album - Hits Of The 70's Various The Guinness Album - Hits Of The 70's(2xLP, Comp, Gat) CBS 10020 UK 1980 Sell This Version
10029 Simon And Garfunkel* - The Simon And Garfunkel Collection Simon And Garfunkel* The Simon And Garfunkel Collection (Comp, Album) 10029 UK 1981 Sell This Version
10031 Barbra Streisand - Love Songs Barbra Streisand Love Songs (Album, Comp) 10031 UK 1981 Sell This Version
10046 Art Garfunkel - The Art Garfunkel Album Art Garfunkel The Art Garfunkel Album(LP, Album, Comp) CBS, CBS 10046 UK 1984 Sell This Version
22025 Fleetwood Mac - The Original Fleetwood Mac / English Rose Fleetwood Mac The Original Fleetwood Mac / English Rose (Comp) 22025 UK 1976 Sell This Version