Vinyl pressings
by Jefferson Starship · 1981
Modern Times was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 15 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.
BZL1-3848-A 1B TML-M A7A side runout, variant 1
BZL1 3848-B-2S TML S A 1 WB side runout, variant 1
BZL1 3848-A 2S TML-S I I A2 SA side runout, variant 2
BZL1 3848-B 2S TML-S I A1 RB side runout, variant 2
BZL1•3848-A 1S TML-M I A3Runout A, variant 1
BZL1 3848-B•2S TML-S I A1Runout B, variant 1
BZL1-3848 1S TML-M A 7 IRunout A, variant 2
BZL1 3848-B-1S TML-M I A 8 6Runout B, variant 2
BZL1 3848-A 2S TML-S I I A̷A̶ A1 RRunout side A
BZL1 3848-B-1S TML-M I A0 QRunout side B
BZL1 3848-ASide A runout
BZL1 3848-BSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.8195First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Grunt BZL1-3848First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | France | RCA ZL 13848First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Grunt FL 13848First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Grunt FL 13848LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Greece | RCA Victor MAL-RCLP 20213 / RCA Victor RCLP 20213First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | RCA Victor MAL-RCLP 20213LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Italy | Grunt FL 13848First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Japan | Grunt RPL-8064First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | Grunt RPL-8064First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS-4547 / RCA Victor MILS - 4547First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | New Zealand | Grunt BZL1 3848First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | RCA Victor XFPL1-1006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | South Africa | RCA 38-732 / RCA Victor 38-732First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Spain | Grunt FL 13848First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
23 vinyl pressings of Modern Times are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Grunt BZL1-3848, released April 2, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BZL1-3848, RCA LP 5027, BZL1 3848, 104.8195) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BZL1-3848-A 1B TML-M A7 and BZL1 3848-B-2S TML S A 1 W. 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.
