Vinyl pressings
by Gene Chandler · 1978
Get Down was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
15 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 10 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.
1S M-578-AS SM•1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally B1Runout A
1S M-578-BS SM•1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally B9Runout B
M-578-ASLabel A
M-578-BSLabel B
T1 M-578-AS TH-1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLEtched side A, except "MASTERED BY CAPITOL" stamped
T1 M-578-BS TH-1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLEtched side B, except "MASTERED BY CAPITOL" stamped
M-578-ASLabel side A
M-578-BSLabel side B
M-578-ASSide One Label
M-578-BSSide Two Label
M-578-AS P•1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout, Side A - Etched
M-578-BS P•1 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout, Side B - Etched
BT 578 △TSide A runout
BT 578 △<Side B runout
†BT 578-A†Side A label
†BT 578-B†Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | 20th Century Fox Records VPL1-4165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Chi Sound Records 9209-578First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Disc'Az STEC 288 / Chi Sound Records STEC 288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | 20th Century Fox Records 6370 280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Italy | 20th Century Fox Records 6370 280First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | 20th Century Fox Records GP-673First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Mexico | 20th Century Records GX 01-1048First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | 20th Century Fox Records 6370 280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | 20th Century Fox Records 6370 280First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records BT 578First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | UK | 20th Century Fox Records T-578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Fox Records T-578 / Chi Sound Records T-578First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Fox Records T-578 / Chi Sound Records T-578First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Fox Records T-578LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | US | 20th Century Fox Records T-578 / Chi Sound Records T-578First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | New Zealand | 20th Century Fox Records VPL1-4165 / 20th Century Fox Records VPL1 4165LP, Album | LP, Album |
19 vinyl pressings of Get Down are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is 20th Century Fox Records T-578.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T-578, BT 578, VPL1-4165, 9209-578) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1S M-578-AS SM•1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally B1 and 1S M-578-BS SM•1 MASTERED BY CAPITOL Wally B9. 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.
