Vinyl pressings
by Gamma · 1980
Gamma 2 was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 11 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.
6E-288-A01-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15198-A01 SLM △3811 1-1Side A Runout [Var1]
6E-288-B01-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15199-B01 SLM △3811-X 1-1Side B Runout [Var1]
6E-288-A-1-AR STERLING B-15198Side A Runout [Var2], etch; STERLING, stamp
6E-288-B-1-AR STERLING B-15199Side B Runout [Var2], etch; STERLING, stamp
STERLINGBoth sides, stamped - Variants 1 - 4
SRC (Specialty Logo)Both sides, stamped - Variants 1 - 4
6E-288-A-2-SP I-4 FABSide one, etched - Variant 1
6E-288-B-SP I-I FABSide two, etched - Variant 1
6E-288-A-2-SP STERLING FAB (logo RC in a horizontal S, see picture)stamped and etched on layout side 1
6E-288-B-2-SP 1-5 FAB STERLING (logo RC in a horizontal S, see picture)stamped and etched on layout side 2
K52245 A1 STRAWBERRY W-2SIDE 1 RUNOUT ETCHED & STAMPED
K52245 B1 STRAWBERRY W-2 KDSIDE 1 RUNOUT ETCHED & 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | Elektra 6E-288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X6E-288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | Elektra X6E-288 / Elektra X6E 288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | Elektra ELK 52 245 / Elektra 6E-288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 245 / Elektra 6E-288First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Germany | Elektra ELK 52 245First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Greece | Elektra 52245First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | Elektra ELK 52 245 / Elektra 6E-288First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-10918EFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | Elektra P-10918EFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | Elektra ELK 52245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Portugal | Elektra ELE 52245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Elektra K 52245First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Elektra 6E-288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Elektra 6E-288First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Elektra 6E-288LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
21 vinyl pressings of Gamma 2 are listed here, from 11 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra 6E-288.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6E-288, 6E-288-A, K 52245, X6E-288) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6E-288-A01-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15198-A01 SLM △3811 1-1 and 6E-288-B01-SHAR [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-15199-B01 SLM △3811-X 1-1. 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.
