Vinyl pressings
by Bread · 1972
The Guitar Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
41 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 23 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.
EKS 45803 A-SP SRCRunout A etched [SRC logo stamped], variant 1
EKS 45803 B-SP SRCRunout B etched [SRC logo stamped], variant 1
EKS-45803 A-1 SP SRCRunout A etched [SRC logo stamped], variant 2
EKS-45803-B-1 SPRunout B etched, variant 2
EKS 45803-A-PH-1-1Side A etch
EKS-45803-B PH-1-1Side B etch
EK-45803-ALabel side A
EK-45803-BLabel side B
EK-45803-ALabel side A
EK-45803-BLabel side B
EK-45803-ALabel side A
EK-45803-BLabel side B
EK-45803-ALabel side A
EK-45803-ALabel side B
EKM 45803-A-1 SP SRCMono deadwax
EKS 45803-A-1 SP SRCStereo deadwax
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Argentina | Music Hall 31.907First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | Elektra EKM-45803First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Brazil | Elektra ELCS 15.011First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1972 | Brazil | Elektra ELCS 15.011First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1972 | Brazil | Elektra ELCS-15.011First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Elektra E-45803First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | El Salvador | Elektra EK-45803First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | El Salvador | Elektra EK-45803First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1972 | France | Elektra 12066First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Elektra 12066First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Société De Pressage De Disques 120667", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1972 | France | Elektra 12 066 / Elektra 12066First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | France | Elektra 12066First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 066 / Elektra 45803First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | Germany | Elektra ELK 12 066 / Elektra 45 803First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Elektra Records GS 455037", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | Lebanon | Elektra EK 11006 / Elektra 458037", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
45 vinyl pressings of The Guitar Man are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Elektra EK-45803.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EK-45803, K 12066, 31.907, EKM-45803) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS 45803 A-SP SRC and EKS 45803 B-SP SRC. 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.
