Vinyl pressings
by Jesse Green · 1976
Flip 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.
21 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 16 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.
NG 791A/ 30171-1-YRunout side A, variant 1
NG 791 B/ 30172-1-YRunout side B, variant 1
NG 791A/ 30171-1-Y 1Runout side A, variant 2
NG 791 B/ 30172-1-Y 4 IRunout side B, variant 2
EMI 2564 A-1 P 1A-side runout, stamped, variant 1
EMI 2564 B-1 L 1B-side runout, stamped, variant 1
EMI 2564 A-1 MD 1A-side runout, stamped, variant 2
EMI 2564 B-1 AL 1B-side runout, stamped, variant 2
98439 - A 13-12-76 I ▵Side A
98439 - B 13-12-76 I ▵Side B
3C 006-98439 ASide A, label
3C 006-98439 BSide B, label
JESSE GREEN-A 4C006-98439-A FPRunout side A
J. GREEN-B 4C006-98439-BRunout side B
4C 006-98 439 ALabel side A
4C 006-98 439 BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Barbados | EMI EMI 2564First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Belgium | EMI 4 C 006-98 439 / Red Bus Records 4 C 006-98 439First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Canada | Red Bus Tempo 12-RBT-1010First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | Red Bus Tempo RBT 1010First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Canada | Red Bus Tempo PG-1010First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | EMI 2C 006-98.439 / EMI 2C 006-98439First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-98 439 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-98 439First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Greece | EMI 2J 006-98439First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Guatemala | EMI 4284First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Italy | EMI 3C 052-98439 ZFirst year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Jamaica | EMIFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Madagascar | EMI 2C 006-98.439First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Red Bus Records NG 791First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Peru | EMI 01.21.931First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | Portugal | EMI 8E 006 98439First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
28 vinyl pressings of Flip are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Netherlands, UK, Italy, Barbados and more. One of them is Red Bus Records NG 791.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use NG 791, EMI 2564, 3C 006-98439, 4 C 006-98 439) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, NG 791A/ 30171-1-Y and NG 791 B/ 30172-1-Y. 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.
