Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1983
The Man From Utopia was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 14 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.
P FW-38403-AS-Re 1 ③ ʌ Dinkum.Side A Runout Variant 1
P FW-38403-BS-Re 1 ① Dinkum.Side B Runout Variant 1
P FW-38403-B⃫S⃫AS-Re 1 ② DinkumSide A Runout Variant 2
P FW-38403-A⃫S⃫BS-Re 1 ② DinkumSide B Runout Variant 2
ASF 2868-ASide 1 etched
ASF 2868-BSide 2 etched
FW 38403 Side ! DM 3 ② Dinkum ①Side A runout variant 1
FW 38403 Side 2-1 DM 2 Dinkum ①Side B runout variant 1
FW 38403 Side 1 ② Dinkum ① DM 3Side A runout variant 2
FW 38403 Side 2 Dinkum ② DM 4Side B runout variant 2
CI-2525I-IL Side 1 D:nkum ⓏRunout side A hand-etched
CI-25251 2L Side 2 D:nkum ⓏRunout side B hand-etched
AL 38403Side A
BL 38403Side B
AL 38403Side A, stamped
BL 38403Side B, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Argentina | CBS 20.459First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Argentina | CBS 20.459First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Argentina | CBS 20.459First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237894First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Australia | CBS SBP 237894First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | CBS CBS 25251 / CBS 25251First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Greece | CBS CBS 25251First yearLP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1983 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 2642First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Israel | CBS 25251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | CBS/Sony 25AP 2642First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 237894First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Portugal | CBS 25251LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | CBS 25251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Spain | CBS S 25251First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | CBS ASF2868First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Russia | SNC Records SNC—3085LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Capitol Records ST 6534LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| ? | Europe | EMI 1C 064-26 0815 1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
25 vinyl pressings of The Man From Utopia are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1983 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, South Africa, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Barking Pumpkin Records FW 38403, released March 28, 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FW 38403, ASF2868, CBS 25251, 20.459) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P FW-38403-AS-Re 1 ③ ʌ Dinkum. and P FW-38403-BS-Re 1 ① Dinkum.. 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.
