Vinyl pressings
by Bob Seger · 1975
Katmandu was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
91839A 4116 F1#1 side1 KP 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout A, variation 1
91838 4116 F1 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Runout B, variation 1
91839 A 4116 F1#3 KP 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout A, variation 2
91838 4116 F1 #4 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0Runout B, variation 2
S-45-91839-A-F-3- ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLA-side runout
S-45-91838-A-F-3- ✲ MASTERED BY CAPITOLB-side runout
S45-91839AA-side label
S45-91838B-side label
S45-91839Alabel A
S45-91838label B
S-45-91839-A-F.3 * MASTERED BY CAPITOLStereo runout
PRO-8177-F.1. * MASTERED BY CAPITOLMono runout
S45-91839AStereo label
PRO-8177Mono label
SF 91839 A-1 [Stamped] Λ BLAIR.... [Etched] I [Stamped]Side 1
SF 91838-1 [Stamped] Λ @ Abbey Road [Etched] I [Stamped]Side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-10925First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | Capitol Records 4116First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-81 981 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-81 981First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Germany | Capitol Records 1C 006-81 981 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-81 981First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15831First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records 4116First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records P-4116First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records 4116First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Capitol Records 4116First year7" | 7" |
| 1975 | UK | Capitol Records CL 15831First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
10 vinyl pressings of Katmandu are listed here, from 5 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Capitol Records 4116.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4116, P-4116, CL 15831, 1C 006-81 981) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 91839A 4116 F1#1 side1 KP 0 MASTERED BY CAPITOL and 91838 4116 F1 #1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KP 0. 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.
