Vinyl pressings
by George Duke · 1983
Guardian Of The Light 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.
11 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 8 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.
PAL-38513-1C (flower image) MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. C-Iside A runout etched
PBL-38513-1D MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. C-Iside B runout etched
PAL-38513-1F (flower image) MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. PSide 1 Matrix/Runout etched variation
PAL-38513-1G (flower image) MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. PSide 2 Matrix/Runout etched variation
P o PAL-38513-1B (2 birds) MASTERED AT ALLEN ZAENTZ L.A., CALIFRunout Side A
P o PBL-38513-1A (flower) MASTERED AT ALLEN ZAENTZ L.A., CALIFRunout Side B
AL 38513Label Side A
BL 38513Label Side B
(HXAP) P PAL-38513-G1ARunout A, etched
PBL-38513-1B MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF.Runout B, etched
AL 38513Label A
BL 38513Label B
EPC-25262-A1 ΛA side etched
EPC-25262-B1 ΛB side etched
AL 38513Side A label
BL 38513Side B label
01-25262-1A-1Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
01-25262-2B-1Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
NL 01-25262-1A-1 ARunout side A, stamped, variant 2
NL 01-25262-2B-1 ARunout side B, stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | Epic FE 38513First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Epic EPC 25262 / Epic 25262First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Epic EPC 25262 / Epic 25262First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | Epic 25·3P-440First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Portugal | Epic 25262First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | Epic KSF 2864First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Korea | CBS KJPL-0363First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | Epic EPC 25262First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Epic FE 38513First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Epic FE 38513First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Epic PE 38513First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | CBS CLS-5807LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Guardian Of The Light are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, Canada, Europe and more. One of them is Epic FE 38513.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FE 38513, PE 38513, EPC 25262, 25·3P-440) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-38513-1C (flower image) MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. C-I and PBL-38513-1D MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. C-I. 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.
