Vinyl pressings
by Eddie Rabbitt · 1978
Variations was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 6 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.
6E-127-A SPVariant 1 Side A
6E-127-B SPVariant 1 Side B
6E-127-A SP "SRC Logo" ~\-1 MasterfonicsVariant 2 Side A
6E-127-B SP "SRC Logo" Masterfonics \-1Variant 2 Side A
MasterfonicsBoth Sides Stamped
6E-127-A2-PRC-11 - 1 PRCA Side Etch
6E-127-B3-PRC -11 -11 PRCB Side Etch
6E-127-A (PRC-W)Side A Label
6E-127-B (PRC-W)Side B Label
W-5 6E 127 A1 EG STRAWBERRYSide A runout
W-4 6E 127 B1 EG STRAWBERRYSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Elektra 6E-127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 070First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Elektra P-10614EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Japan | Elektra P-10614EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Elektra EKC 6064First yearLP | LP |
| 1978 | UK | Elektra 6E-127First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-127LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-127LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-127First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-127LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-127First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Elektra 6E-127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Elektra 6E-127LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Elektra 6E-127LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Variations are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-127.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-127, ELK 52 070, P-10614E, EKC 6064) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6E-127-A SP and 6E-127-B SP. 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.
