Vinyl pressings
by Bob Seger And The Silver Bullet Band · 1980
Fire Lake was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 14 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.
S45-96012 F-3 #4 ----◄ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout variant 1
S45-95871 F-3 ----◄ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout variant 1
S45-96012 F-3 #2 ----◄ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout variant 2
S45-95871 F-3 #4 ----◄ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout variant 2
4836 S45-96012 F-1 #5 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout
SUB A 4836 S45-95871 F-1 #1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B runout
S96012Side A label
S95871Side B label
S45-96012 F-6 WallySide A Etching
S45-95871 F-6 WallySide B Etching
MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲Both Sides Stamped
S96012Side A Label
S45-96012 4836 F-2 #4Wally 0Side A runout, etched
S45-95871 4836 F-2 #1 Wally 0Side B runout etched
MASTERED BY CAPITOLSides A & B runout, stamped
S96012Side A label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-212First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Brazil | Capitol Records 31C 006 86093First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records 4836First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Capitol Records 2C 008-86 093First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Capitol Records 2C 008-86 093First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | France | Capitol Records 86.093First year7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
| 1980 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-86 093 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-86 093First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 00686093First year7" | 7" |
| 1980 | Italy | Capitol Records 3C 006-86093First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Japan | Capitol Records ECR-20673First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Capitol Records 1A 006-86093First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | Capitol Records CP 620First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Portugal | Capitol Records 11C 006 86093 FFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | Spain | Capitol Records 10C 006-086093First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Spain | Capitol Records 10C 006-086093First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Fire Lake are listed here, from 14 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Capitol Records 4836.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4836, 4 8 3 6, P-4836, CL 16130) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S45-96012 F-3 #4 ----◄ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL and S45-95871 F-3 ----◄ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
