Vinyl pressings
by Elton John · 1988
Reg Strikes Back was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
EJLP 3 A-1U-1-1- TY1Side A runout variant 1
EJLP 3 B-1U-1-1 TY1Side B runout variant 1
EJLP 3 A-2U-1-1 TY1Side A runout variant 2
EJLP 3 B-1U-1-3 TY1Side B runout variant 2
MCA 7897-1 d ▣-G-▣Var 1 Runout A etched / ▣-G-▣ stamped
MCA 7898-2 ▣-G-▣ 2Var 1 Runout B etched / ▣-G-▣ stamped
MCA 7897-1 ▣-G-▣ 2Var 2 Runout A etched / ▣-G-▣ stamped
MCA 7898 -3 ▣-G-▣ 3Var 2 Runout B etched / ▣-G-▣ stamped
MCA 7897-1 d ▣-G-▣Side A / etched, exc. ▣-G-▣ [variant 1]
MCA 7898-3 ▣-G-▣ 2Side A / etched, exc. ▣-G-▣ [variant 1]
(MCA7897)On label A
(MCA7898)On label B
834701-11Side 1
834701-12Side 2
STARL 5507 -A |DAD|Runout, Side A - etched
STARL 5507 -B |DAD|Runout, Side B - etched
834.701-1 ALabel, Side A
834.701-1 BLabel, Side B
STARL-5507-A (DAD)Side A (Hand-etched)
STARL-5507-B (DAD)Side B (Hand-etched)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Argentina | The Rocket Record Company 834701-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Australasia | The Rocket Record Company 834 701-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | The Rocket Record Company 834 701-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6240First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6240LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6240LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6240LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Colombia | The Rocket Record Company 834701-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Ecuador | The Rocket Record Company L.P.-36008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | The Rocket Record Company 834 701-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Amiga 8 34 701LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | The Rocket Record Company 834 701-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Greece | The Rocket Record Company 834 701-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Hungary | Gong SLPXL 37274First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Italy | The Rocket Record Company 834 701-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | The Rocket Record Company 5516081 / EMI 0602455160812LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
32 vinyl pressings of Reg Strikes Back are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1988 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Japan, South Africa and more. One of them is The Rocket Record Company EJLP 3.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EJLP 3, MCA-6240, 25PP-254, STARL 5507) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EJLP 3 A-1U-1-1- TY1 and EJLP 3 B-1U-1-1 TY1. 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.
