Vinyl pressings
by Climax Blues Band · 1973
FM / Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 2 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.
SAS-2-7411 A2 SON K-6104 STERLINGSide A runout, variant 1
SAS-2-7411 B2 SON K-6105 STERLINGSide B runout, variant 1
SAS-2-7411 C2 SON K-6106 STERLINGSide C runout, variant 1
SAS-2-7411 D2 SON K-6107 STERLINGSide D runout, variant 1
SAS-2-7411-A-1-1-11 STERLING PRCRunout, side A / etched [except STERLING]
SAS-2-7411-B-1-1-1111 STERLING PR D PRCRunout, side B / etched [except STERLING]
SAS-2-7411-C--1-1-111 STERLING RL PRCRunout, side C / etched [except STERLING]
SAS-2-7411-D-1-1-111 STERLING PRC DRunout, side D / etched [except STERLING]
SAS-2-7411-A-3 (MR) △18390 (1)Side A Runout
SAS-2-7411-B-3 (MR) √ △18390-X (1)Side B Runout
SAS-2-7411-C-3 (MR) △18391 (1)Side C Runout
SAS-2-7411-D-3 (MR) △18391 (1)Side D Runout
SAS-2-7411-A-1-1-1 STERLING PR DSide A runout
SAS-2-7411-B-1-1-11 STERLING PR DSide B runout
SAS-2-7411-C-1-1-1 STERLING RL PR DSide C runout
SAS-2-7411-D-1-1-1 STERLING PR DSide D runout
T1 SAS-2-7411 A-4 STERLING Λ1Side A
T1 SAS-2-7411 B-4 STERLING B2Side B
T1 SAS-2-7411 C-4 STERLING Λ1Side C
T1 SAS-2-7411 D-4 STERLING Λ2Side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Sire SAS-2-7411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Sire 9147-2-7411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | Sire 2147-7411 / Sire 2147-7411-2First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Sire SAS-2-7411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Sire SAS-2-7411First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Sire SAS-2-7411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Sire SAS-2-7411First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Sire SAS-2-7411First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Sire SAS-2-7411LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Polydor 2383 259LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 2679 028LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Polydor 2478 068 / Polydor 2679 028LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | UK | Sire SAS-2-7411LP | LP |
| 1974 | UK | Polydor 2383 259 / Polydor 2383259LP | LP |
| 1974 | US | Sire SAS-2-7411LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Europe | See For Miles Records Ltd. SEE 279LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Sire 2XS 6013LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of FM / Live are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Canada. One of them is Sire SAS-2-7411, released October 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SAS-2-7411, 9147-2-7411, 2147-7411) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SAS-2-7411 A2 SON K-6104 STERLING and SAS-2-7411 B2 SON K-6105 STERLING. 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.
