Vinyl pressings
by Gong · 1977
Live Etc. 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.
7 pressings came out in 1977, 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.
VGD-3501-A-1 Λ [Lyre Symbol]Side A Variant 1
VGD-3501-B-1 D [Lyre Symbol]Side B Variant 1
VGD-3501-C-1 Λ [Lyre Symbol]Side C Variant 1
VGD-3501-D-1 ΛSide D Variant 1
VGD-3501-A-5 2 2 ΛSide A runout
VGD-3501-B-4 1 0 ΛSide B runout
VGD-3501-C-3 3 DSide C runout
VGD-3501-D-3 2 CSide D runout
VIRG 2401716 1 380 CIDIS A1Runout Side A Stamped
VIRG 2401716 2 380 CIDIS B1Runout Side B Stamped
VIRG 2401717 1 380 CIDIS A1Runout Side C Stamped
VIRG 2401717 2 380 CIDIS A1Runout Side D Stamped
VIRG 2401 716 1 380 CIDIS A3A-side, Stamped
VIRG 2401 716 2 380 CIDIS B5B-side, Stamped
VIRG 2401 717 1 380 CIDIS A1C-side, Stamped
VIRG 2401 717 2 380 CIDIS A2D-side, Stamped
VIRG 2401716 1 380 CIDIS A1Runout Side A Stamped
VIRG 2401716 2 380 CIDIS B1Runout Side B Stamped
VIRG 2401717 1 380 CIDIS A1Runout Side C Stamped
VIRG 2401717 2 380 CIDIS A1Runout Side D Stamped
25081 A-1/77S Ⅱ Made in GermanySide A runout, stamped / etched Ⅱ, variant 1
25081 B-1/77S Made in GermanySide B runout, stamped, variant 1
25082 A-1/77S Made in GermanySide C runout, stamped, variant 1
25082 B-1/77S Made in GermanySide D runout, stamped, variant 1
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 | France | Virgin 2676 713First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Virgin 2676 713First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Virgin 2676 713First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Virgin VGD 3501 / Virgin 25 081 XUFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Virgin AVIL 213501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Virgin VGD 3501 / Virgin VGD3501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Virgin VGD 3501 / Virgin VGD3501First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Germany | Virgin 25 083 XBU / Virgin VGD3501LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | Virgin VIP-9901~02LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Virgin VIP-9901~02LP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Virgin 2676 713LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Virgin 2676 713LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | Virgin 301241LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 25081LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Virgin 25 081/82 XU / Virgin 25 083 XBULP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | Virgin AVIL 213501LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin VGD 3501 / Virgin VGD3501LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | UK | Virgin VGD 3501LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Virgin VGD 3501 / Virgin VGD3501LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Virgin VGD 3501LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
20 vinyl pressings of Live Etc. are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1978.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, France, Germany, Italy. One of them is Virgin VGD 3501, released August 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VGD 3501, 2676 713, AVIL 213501) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VGD-3501-A-1 Λ [Lyre Symbol] and VGD-3501-B-1 D [Lyre Symbol]. 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.
