Vinyl pressings
by Frank Sinatra · 1974
The Main Event (Live) was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
31 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 19 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.
S FS-2207 31828-1B A3Variant 1: Side A runout
S FS-2207 31829-1AVariant 1: Side B runout
S 1 FS-2207 31828-1B A8Variant 2: Side A runout
S 1 FS-2207 31829-1A B2Variant 2: Side B runout
FS-2207 T1 31828-1-1 Λ3Side A runout, etched except "Λ" stamped
T1 FS-2207 31829-1Side B runout, etched
(31, 828)Side A label
(31, 829)Side B label
FS-1-2207 JW2 #2 ()Side A runout, etched
SUB FS-2-2207 JW3 #2 ()Side B runout, etched
FS-1-2207 LW1 3 * #64Side A - etched
FS-2-2207 LW2 1 #64Side B - etched
FS-2207 31828-1 xSide A runout
FS-2207 31829-1Side B runout
31,828Side A label
31,829Side B label
1 FS-2207 31828-1ASide A runout, variant 1
2 FS-2207 31829-1ASide B runout, variant 1
1 FS-2207 31828-1A ASide A runout, variant 2
2 FS-2207 31829-1A A B SSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Reprise Records FS 2207First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Reprise Records FS 2207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Belgium | Reprise Records 54031First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Reprise Records FS 2207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Reprise Records FS 2207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Reprise Records FS 2207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Reprise Records FS 2207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Colombia | Reprise Records WEA-10537First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Reprise Records 54031 / Reprise Records 54 031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 254 031First yearLP, Album, Quadraphonic | LP, Album, Quadraphonic |
| 1974 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 54 031 / Reprise Records FS-2207First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Reprise RecordsLP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Quadraphonic · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label, Quadraphonic · Test pressing |
| 1974 | Germany | Reprise Records REP 54 031First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | India | Reprise Records FS 2207 / Reprise Records FS. 2207First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Israel | Reprise Records BAN 54031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Mexico | Reprise Records LWB-5076LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Mexico | Reprise Records LWB-5076LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Reprise Records REP 54 031 / Reprise Records FS 2207LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Reprise Records REP 54031LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Germany | Reprise Records REP 54 031 / Reprise Records FS 2207LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | Reprise Records REP54031LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Taiwan | Union TD-1487LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Reprise Records FS 2207LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Reprise Records FS 2207LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Reprise Records FS 2207LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| ? | US | Reprise Records FS 2207LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
50 vinyl pressings of The Main Event (Live) are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1974 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is Reprise Records FS 2207, released November 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FS 2207, K 54031, 54031, WEA-10537) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S FS-2207 31828-1B A3 and S FS-2207 31829-1A. 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.
