Vinyl pressings
by Commodores · 1974
Machine Gun was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 20 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.
M6-798S1-D5RS-7689-1-RE1-13A TVC-BA-Side Variant 1 Runout Etching
M6-798S1-D5RS-7690-2-RE1-17A 1A TVC-AB-Side Variant 1 Runout Etching
M6-798S1-D5RS-7689-1-RE1-13A TVC-BA-Side Variant 2 Runout Etching
M6-798S1-D5RS-7690-2 13A TVC-AB-Side Variant 2 Runout Etching
M6-798S1-D5RS-7689-1-RE1-13A TVC-BA-Side Runout Etching
M6-798S1-D5RS-7690-2-RE1-17A 1A TVC-AB-Side Runout Etching
D5RS-7689-1-RE1A-Side Label
D5RS-7690-2B-Side Label
M6-798S1-D5RS-7689-1-RE1-12ASide A runout
M6-798S1-D5RS- 7690-2-A 13A TVC-A2 EX DSide B runout
D5RS-7689-1-RE1Side A label
D5RS-7690-2Side B label
M6-798S1-D5RS- 7689-1-RE1 - 01A I A1Runout side A etched, I A1 stamped
M6-798S1- D5RS- 7690-2 01A I A1Runout side B etched, I A1 stamped
D5RS-7689-1-RE1Label side A
D5RS-7690-2Label side B
M6-798S1-DSRS-7689-1-RE2-17B 1BSide A Runout Etched
M6-798S1-DSRS-7690-2-RE1-17C 1CSide B Runout Etched
DSRS-7689-1RE1Side A Label
DSRS-7690-2Side B Label
M6-798S1-D5RS-7689-1-RE-1-17A 1AA-Side Runout Etching
M6-798S1-D5RS-7690-2-1A 17AB-Side Runout Etching
D5RS-7689-1-RE1A-Side Label
D5RS-7690-2B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Argentina | Microfon Argentina S.A. SE 554First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | France | Tamla Motown 2C 064 - 95.802First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 062-95 802 / EMI Electrola 1C 062-95 802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1 C 062-95 802 / Tamla Motown 1C 062-95 802First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Greece | Tamla Motown STML 11273First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Israel | Tamla Motown M6-798S1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM-ST 60081 / Tamla Motown TSM ST 60081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWX-6147 / Motown SMOT-6083First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Malaysia | Music Girl US-606LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1974 | Mexico | Tamla Motown STAM-540First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 062-95802 / Tamla Motown M6-798 S1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Tamla Motown STML 6139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Philippines | Tamla Motown TM 2115 (M6-79851)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Philippines | Motown M6-79851First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Singapore | Tamla Motown M6-798S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Album Globe Distribution Co. AG 5327LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Australia | Motown M 5121LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Canada | Motown M 121LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | France | Motown 523001 / Vogue 523001LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Germany | Motown 257·15·001LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Tamla Motown STMS 5002 / Tamla Motown 0C 054-95 802LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-121V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Germany | Motown 230·15·095LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | Italy | Motown ORL 8602LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Germany | Platinum PLP 47LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Motown STMLO 11273LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | Motown M6-798S1 / Tapecar LP-MS-798LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Motown M-798-V1 / Motown M6-798S1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Tamla Motown 1C 062-95 802 / EMI Electrola 1C 062-95 802LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Malaysia | Not On Label (Commodores) 7689LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 062-95802 / Tamla Motown M6-798 S1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Motown M7-798R1LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Motown M6-798S1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Motown M6-798S1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Motown M6-798SLP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
56 vinyl pressings of Machine Gun are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1974 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Motown M6-798S1, released July 22, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M6-798S1, STML 11273, STMLO 11273, SE 554) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M6-798S1-D5RS-7689-1-RE1-13A TVC-B and M6-798S1-D5RS-7690-2-RE1-17A 1A TVC-A. 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.
