Vinyl pressings
by Emerson, Lake & Palmer · 1973
Brain Salad Surgery was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
49 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 21 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.
K 53501-A3Runout A-side variant 1, etched
K 53501-B3Runout B-side variant 1, etched
K53501-A5Runout A-side variant 2, etched
K53501-B3Runout B-side variant 2, etched
ST-MC-732991-G [SRC logo] ATSide A runout etched, variant 1
ST-MC-732992-G [SRC logo] ATSide B runout etched, variant 1
ST-MC-732991-F [SRC logo] AT 1-4Side A runout etched, variant 2
ST-MC-732992-F [SRC logo] AT 1-4Side B runout etched, variant 2
ST-MC-732991-G [SRC logo] ATSide A etch exc [SRC logo] stamp
ST-MC-732992-G [SRC logo] ATSide B etch exc [SRC logo] stamp
(ST-MC-732991)Side A label
(ST-MC-732992)Side B label
ST-MC-732991-H [SRC Logo] ATSide A Runout, Variant 1
ST-MC-732992-H [SRC Logo] ATSide B Runout, Variant 1
ST-MC-732991-F 1-1 [SRC Logo] ATSide A Runout, Variant 2
ST-MC-732992-F ̶1̶-̶1̶ 1-3 [SRC Logo] ATSide B Runout, Variant 2
K 53501-A1 1A PNSide A
K 53501-B1 1A Pete NSide B
ST-MC-732991Side A runout etched
ST-MC-732992Side B runout etched
ST-MC-732991Side A Label
ST-MC-732992Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Unknown | Manticore MC 66669First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Angola | Manticore MC66669 / Atlantic MC66669First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Australia | Manticore MC 66669 / Manticore MS 66669First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Australia | Manticore MC 66669First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Austria | Manticore 87 302 IT / Manticore 87302ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | Manticore MC 66669 / Manticore MC66669First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ecuador | Atlantic 3008 / Manticore K53501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | El Salvador | Atlantic CA-1211First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Manticore 53501 / Manticore MS 66669First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Manticore K53501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | Manticore 87 302 IT / Manticore 87302ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Manticore 87 302 IT / Manticore 87302ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Israel | Atlantic K 53501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Israel | Atlantic BAN 53501First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Italy | Manticore MAN 2003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | Manticore P-6402MLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Mexico | Atlantic LWA-5034LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Atlantic GWEA-5034LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | Mexico | Atlantic LWA-5034LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Manticore 87.302-ILP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | Spain | Manticore 87.302-ILP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Manticore ORL 8569LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Venezuela | Atlantic Atlantic-2303LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Germany | Atlantic 781 523-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | UK | Castle Communications PLC ORRLP002LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, 7", Single Sided, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered · Limited, Numbered | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, 7", Single Sided, Limited Edition, Numbered, Remastered · Limited, Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | US | Manticore 826663-11054LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP271LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2013 | US | Razor & Tie 7930183415-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2013 | US | Razor & Tie 7930183401-1LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Picture disc |
| 2014 | UK & Europe | Sony Music 88883772862 / Legacy 88883772862Box Set, Deluxe Edition, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, DVD, DVD-Audio, Multichannel, Remastered, Stereo, DVD, DVD-Video, NTSC, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | Box Set, Deluxe Edition, CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, CD, Compilation, Remastered, CD, Album, Reissue, DVD, DVD-Audio, Multichannel, Remastered, Stereo, DVD, DVD-Video, NTSC, Reissue, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2016 | UK & Europe | BMG BMGCATLP6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2016 | UK & Europe | BMG BMGCATLP6 / Manticore BMGCATLP6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2016 | US | BMG BMGCATLP6 / Manticore BMGCATLP6LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Worldwide | BMG BMGCAT790LPX / Manticore BMGCAT790LPXLP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited, Picture disc |
| 2025 | Europe | BMG 4099964118551 / Manticore 4099964118551LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2026 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-619 / Manticore MFSL 1-619LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Numbered | LP, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Special Edition, Stereo · Numbered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Argentina | Atlantic 208726LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Argentina | Atlantic 50-14.093 / Manticore 50-14.093LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Brazil | ATCO Records 20.040 / Manticore 20.040LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic 670.9266LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Brazil | Atlantic 604.7012 / ATCO Records 604.7012LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic MC 66669LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic MC 66669 / Manticore MC66669LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic MC 66669LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic SD 19124 / Atlantic MC 66669LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic MC 66669 / Manticore MC66669LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic SD 19124 / Atlantic MC 66669LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic MC 66669 / Manticore MC66669LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| ? | Canada | Atlantic MC 66669LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Manticore K 53501LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Manticore 53501 / Atlantic SD 19124LP, Album | LP, Album |
146 vinyl pressings of Brain Salad Surgery are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1973 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, Canada, Colombia and more. One of them is Manticore K 53501, released December 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 53501, MC 66669, MC66669, MS 66669) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 53501-A3 and K 53501-B3. 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.
