Vinyl pressings
by Jane · 1976
Fire, Water, Earth & Air was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1976, the album's first year. 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.
0701.027 S1. SSTRunout side A, variant 1
0701.027 S.2 SSTRunout side B, variant 1
0701.027 S1. SST 1 HRunout side A, variant 2
0701.027 S.2 SST B 1Runout side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Germany | Brain BRAIN 1084 / Brain 1084First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Brain 0001 084 / Brain BRAIN 1084LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Brain 0001.084 / Brain BRAIN 1084LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Brain BRAIN 1084 / Brain 1084LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | Brain UXP-727-EBLP | LP |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Brain BRM 10.84LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Stereo, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Japan | Brain 22S-34 / Polystar 22S-34LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Europe | Brain 5318094LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Brain 1084 / Brain BRAIN 1084LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Brain BRAIN 1084 / Brain 1084LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Fire, Water, Earth & Air are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1976 and 2009.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Germany. One of them is Brain BRAIN 1084, released February 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BRAIN 1084) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 0701.027 S1. SST and 0701.027 S.2 SST. 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.
