Vinyl pressings
by Elvis Presley · 1981
Guitar Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
33 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 27 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.
RANDY'S ROOST. A1M AAL1 3917A 2S IRunout side A, variant 1-etched / stamped
RANDY'S ROOST. A3G AAL1 3917B 2S IRunout side B, variant 1-etched / stamped
RANDY'S ROOST A2 A AAL1 3917A 2S IRunout side A, variant 2-etched / stamped
RANDY'S ROOST A1 C AAL1 3917B 2SRunout side B, variant 2-etched / stamped
R.C.A. LP 5010-A-1T A1E W KNOCKOUT - BILBO TA1PERunout, side A etched, variant 1
R.C.A. LP 5010-B-1T BILBO TA1PE A1B WRunout, side B etched, variant 1
R.C.A. LP 5010-A-1T A1J W KNOCKOUT - BILBO TA1PERunout, side A etched, variant 2
R.C.A. LP 5010-B-1T BILBO TA1PE A10 WRunout, side B etched, variant 2
RCA- PL- 13917 - A PF 3Runout side A
RCA - PL- 13917 - A PF 4Runout side B
RCALP 5010 A§ (PL 13917 A)Label side A
RCALP 5010 B§ (PL 13917 B)Label side B
RCA-PL-13917-A PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
RCA-PL-13917-B PF Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
PL 13917-ALabel side A
PL 13917-BLabel side B
APL 1 3917 AETCHED SIDE 1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | RCA Victor AVI-4895First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1-3917First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor APL1-3917First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA International VAL1 0585First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Brazil | RCA 104.4148First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA Victor AAL1-3917First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | RCA AAL1-3917 / RCA Victor AAL1-3917First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Chile | RCA Victor AAL1-3917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Colombia | RCA 05(0131)01825First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | El Salvador | RCA CA-1437First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | France | RCA PL 13917First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA PL 13917-8 / RCA Victor 32846-8LP, Club Edition, Mispress, Misprint · Club edition | LP, Club Edition, Mispress, Misprint · Club edition |
| 1981 | Italy | RCA Victor PL 13917First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | RCA Victor PL 13917First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Japan | RCA RPL-8057First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RCA PL 13917 ASLP, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | RCA PL-13917LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| ? | South Korea | Life Studio 54 LIFE 463LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
39 vinyl pressings of Guitar Man are listed here, from 28 countries, released between 1981 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Germany, Argentina and more. One of them is RCA Victor AAL1-3917.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AAL1-3917, RCALP 5010, PL 13917, AVI-4895) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, RANDY'S ROOST. A1M AAL1 3917A 2S I and RANDY'S ROOST. A3G AAL1 3917B 2S I. 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.
