Vinyl pressings
by Blue Magic · 1976
Freak-N-Stein was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, the album's first year, in 6 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.
ST-76C-32124-1 [1] SRC PORK SAYS 1-1 F/W ΔMA-Side Runout Etching
ST-76C-31099-7 -4 Re SRC F/W ΔMB-Side Runout Etching
ST-76C-32124 SPA Label
ST-76C-31099 SPB Label
ST-76C-32124 PLA Label
ST-76C-31099 PLB Label
76C-32124-2 PP [2] F/W AMEtched Mono Side
ST-76C-32124-4 [4] F/W AMEtched Stereo Side
76C-32124 SPLabel A (Mono)
ST-76C-32124 SPLabel B (Stereo)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Brazil | Atlantic 10.014First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Italy | Atlantic W 10796First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Atlantic 45-7052First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Atlantic K 10796 / WMOT Records K 10796First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records 45-7052 / WMOT Records 45-7052First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records 45-7052 / WMOT Records 45-7052First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records 45-7052 / WMOT Records 45-7052First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Japan | Atlantic P-42AFirst year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records 45-7052 / WMOT Records 45-7052First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records 45-7052 / WMOT RecordsFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | ATCO Records 45-7052 / WMOT Records 45-7052First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
11 vinyl pressings of Freak-N-Stein are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Japan, Brazil and more. One of them is ATCO Records 45-7052, released May 14, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 45-7052, K 10796, P-42A, 10.014) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-76C-32124-1 [1] SRC PORK SAYS 1-1 F/W ΔM and ST-76C-31099-7 -4 Re SRC F/W ΔM. 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.
