Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1978
Ego 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.
35 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 22 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.
ROKN 538 A-1U ƱSide A runout, stamped and etched variant 1
ROKN 538 B-1U ƱSide B runout, stamped and etched variant 1
ROKN 538 A-2U A 1 ƱSide A runout, stamped and etched variant 2
ROKN 538 B-1U Ʊ AL 1Side B runout, stamped and etched variant 2
Rokn 538 a-1u
Rokn 538 b-1u
MC 7329 W6 ◈-P-◈ II ʟʙRun-out A, etched
MC 7329 W6 ◈-P-◈ ʟʙRun-out B, etched
MC 7329 W5 ◈-P-◈ IIII ʟʙRun-out A, etched Variant #2
MC 7329 W6 ◈-P-◈ IIIII ʟʙRun-out B, etched Variant #2
MC7329A
MC7330B
MC 7329 W2Side A runout, variant 1
MC 7330 W2Side B runout, variant 1
MC 7329 W3 LBSide A runout, variant 2
MC 7330 W3 LBSide B runout, variant 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | The Rocket Record Company ROKN-11682 / The Rocket Record Company ROKN.11682First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Bolivia | EMI International BO - 1208First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 31C 006 60738First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1978 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-40892First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | France | The Rocket Record Company 2C 008 60738 / The Rocket Record Company 2C 008 - 60.738First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | France | The Rocket Record Company 2C 008 - 60.738First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | The Rocket Record Company 1C 006-60 738First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Guatemala | The Rocket Record Company 4415First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Ireland | The Rocket Record Company ROKN 538First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 3 C 006-60738 / The Rocket Record Company 3C 006 60738First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | The Rocket Record Company IVR-20431First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Japan | The Rocket Record Company IVR-20431First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | The Rocket Record Company 8133First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Netherlands | The Rocket Record Company 5C 006-60738First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | New Zealand | The Rocket Record Company ROKN 538First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-408927", 45 RPM, Single, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, Single, White Label |
36 vinyl pressings of Ego are listed here, from 22 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Australia, Bolivia and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company ROKN 538.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ROKN 538, Rokn 538, MCA-40892, L33-1979) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ROKN 538 A-1U Ʊ and ROKN 538 B-1U Ʊ. 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.
