Vinyl pressings
by Gentle Giant · 1977
The Missing Piece was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
CHR1152 A//1 R 1 1 1 2 PN — ̶ ̶A̶ ̶Side A Runout, variant 1
CHR1152 B//1 R 1 1 1 5Side B Runout, variant 1
CHR1152 A//1 R 1 1 PN — ̶ ̶A̶ ̶ 4Side A Runout, variant 2
CHR1152 B//1 R 1 3Side B Runout, variant 2
CHR1152 A//1 R 1 1 1 9 PN — ̶ ̶A̶ ̶Side A Runout
CHR1152 B//1 R 1 1 1Side B Runout
CHR1152 A//1 y 1 A -R1 AVariant 1, Side A Runout Stamped
CHR1152 B//1 R 1 1 1 3Variant 1, Side B Runout Stamped
CHR1152 A//1 R 1 1 10Variant 2, Side A Runout Stamped
PN - AVariant 2, Side A Runout etched
ST -1 - 11696 F-2#2 —◁ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout, variant 1
ST -2 - 11696 F-2#2 —◁ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, variant 1
ST-1-11696 F•2 • ─◁ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout, variant 2
ST-2-11696 F-2 • ─◁ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout, variant 2
ST-1-1696 F-3• 2 ✲ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide A runout etched; 2 and MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped
ST-2-1696 F-3• 1 ✲ Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLSide B runout etched; 1 and MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped
ST-1-11696Side A label
ST-2-11696Side B label
ST-1-11696 F-1 ⋆ 3 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout, variant 1
ST-1-11696 F-1 #2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side B runout, variant 1
ST-1-11696 F-1 #2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side A runout, variant 2
ST-2-11696 F-1 #2 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL 0Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Chrysalis 6307604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Argentina | Chrysalis 6307604First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Australia | Chrysalis L 36332 / Chrysalis L-36,332First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Chrysalis 6307 604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-11696First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Chrysalis 6307 604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | Chrysalis 6307 604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 604 / Chrysalis CHR 1152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Chrysalis 6307 604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Chrysalis 6307 604First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1977 | Italy | Chrysalis 6307 604First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Chrysalis WWS-80957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 51-1152 / Chrysalis 51 1152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 51-1152 / Chrysalis 51 1152First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Portugal | Chrysalis 6307 604 / Chrysalis 6307.604First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Capitol Records SN-16046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Capitol Records SN-16046LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UK | Chrysalis Catalogue CHRV1152 / Chrysalis Catalogue 0840401701027LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | UK | Chrysalis Catalogue CHRX1152 / Alucard 0840401701034LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | Alucard ALUGGV078LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2024 | Worldwide | Alucard ALUGGV079LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Chrysalis CHR 1152LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Chrysalis 202 730-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Chrysalis 6307 604LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
38 vinyl pressings of The Missing Piece are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1977 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Chrysalis CHR 1152, released August 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHR 1152, ST-11696, 6307604, L 36332) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHR1152 A//1 R 1 1 1 2 PN — ̶ ̶A̶ ̶ and CHR1152 B//1 R 1 1 1 5. 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.
