Vinyl pressings
by Herb Alpert · 1978
Main Event Live 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.
16 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.
A+M SP5191-M1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ∇ 23723 [4 circled]A-side runout
A+M SP5192-M2 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ∇ 23723-X [2 circled]B-side runout
A+M SP5191-M1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ∇ 23723 [3 circled]Variant 2, A-side runout
A+M SP5192-M2 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ∇ 23723-X [2 circled]Variant 2, B-side runout
A+M SP5191-P1A-side runout
A+M SP5192-P2B-side runout
A&M SP5191-T2 T1Side A runout, variant 1
A&M SP 5192-T1 T1Side B runout, variant 1
T 1 A&M SP5191- T2 C1Side A runout, variant 2
T 1 A&M SP5192-T2 B1Side B runout, variant 2
T1 A&M SP5191-T2 B3Side A runout
T1 A&M SP5192-T1 C1Side B runout
SP-5191Side A label
SP-5192Side B label
A&M SP 5191-M2 < 23723 England [etched] AMLH 64727 A1 1C [stamped upside down]Runout Side A
A&M SP 5192-M3 INT A ⊲ 23723-X England [etched] 1 AMLH 64727 B1 1C [stamped upside down]Runout Side B
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 | A&M Records L 36729First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Australia | A&M Records L 36729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4727First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Europe | A&M Records AMLH 64727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | A&M Records SP 4727 / A&M Records AMP-6028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | A&M Records AMP-6028First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Mexico | A&M Records SLAM-120 / A&M Records 33C 062-62348First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | A&M Records L 36729First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | A&M Records AMLH 64727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | A&M Records AMLH 64727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4727First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4727LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4727 / A&M Records SP-4727First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4727 / A&M Records SP-4727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP 4727 / A&M Records SP-4727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Main Event Live are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is A&M Records SP 4727, released September 9, 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP 4727, AMLH 64727, L 36729, SP-4727) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, A+M SP5191-M1 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ∇ 23723 [4 circled] and A+M SP5192-M2 [Monarch Record Mfg. Co. logo] ∇ 23723-X [2 circled]. 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.
