Vinyl pressings
by George Duke · 1979
Master Of The Game was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 4 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-36263-1C AZ ❀Side A runout, variant 1
PBL-36263-1D AZSide B runout, variant 1
PAL-36263-1G A 0Side A runout, variant 2
PBL-36263-1J C 0Side B runout, variant 2
PAL-36263-1E AZ(flower image) TIA side runout, variant 1
PBL-36263-1E AZ TIB side runout, variant 1
PAL-36263-1E AZ(flower image) TIA side runout, variant 2
PBL-36263-1E AZ A18 TIB side runout, variant 2
PAL 36263-1G o T1A side runout etched
PBL 36263-1J o T1A side runout etched
AL 36263A side label
BL 36263B side label
2 S PAL-36263-1B AZ(flower image)Side A runout etched
2 S PBL-36263-1B AZSide B runout etched
AL 36263Side A Label
BL 36263Side B Label
PAL-36263-1C AZ ❀A side runout, Variant 1
PBL-36263-1D AZB side runout, Variant 1
PAL-36263-1B AZ❀A side runout, Variant 2
PBL-36263-1B AZB side runout, Variant 2
EPC-S-83951-A-1 timtomSide A, etched
EPC-S-83951-B-1 TYSide B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4059 / Epic JE36263First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Europe | Epic EPC 83951 / Epic JE 36263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Epic S EPC 83951First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Epic JE 36263First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Epic JE 36263First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | Epic JE 36263First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Epic JE 36263First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Epic JE 36263First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Europe | Epic EPC 32275 / Epic EPC 83951LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | Epic EPC 32275LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP1341LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Epic EPC 32275 / Epic EPC 83951LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | Epic EPC 32275LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Epic PE 36263LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Master Of The Game are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1979 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Europe. One of them is Epic JE 36263.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use JE 36263, S EPC 83951, ELPS 4059, EPC 83951) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PAL-36263-1C AZ ❀ and PBL-36263-1D AZ. 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.
