Vinyl pressings
by Jimmy Buffett · 1977
Margaritaville 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.
18 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 12 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.
AB-12254-17097-S 1A MASTERFONICS sRunout side A, etched
AB-12254-17098-S 1A MASTERFONICS sRunout side B, etched
45-17097-SA Side Label
45-17098-SB Side Label
P-2792 A W1Runout - Side A
P-2792 B W1Runout - Side B
2792-A/SLabel - Side A
2792-B/SLabel - Side A
p AB-12254-17097-S MasterfonicsA-Side Runout Etching
p AB-12254-17098-S x MasterfonicsB-Side Runout Etching
p AB-12254-A 17097-S ② >A-Side Runout Variant 1
p AB-12254-B 17098-S ③ >B-Side Runout Variant 1
T AB-12254-17097-S-1 MasterfonicsSide A etched
T AB-12254-17098-S-1 MasterfonicsSide B etched
45-17097-SA Side Label
45-17098-SB Side Label
AB-12254-17097-S-1ARunout stereo side, variant 1
AB-12254-17097-M-1ARunout mono side, variant 1
AB-12254-17097-S-1B Masterfonics sRunout stereo side, variant 2
AB-12254-17097-M-1A Masterfonics sRunout mono side, variant 2
ABC-4179-A-1Side A Runout, Etched
<Side A Runout, Stamped
ABC-5218-B-1Side B Runout, Etched & Lined Through
ABC∙4179∙B1 <Side B Runout, Stamped
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 | Australia | ABC Records AB-12254First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Brazil | ABC Records 6.26-101-048First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | ABC Records 1022-12254First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | ABC Records 1022-12254First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Germany | ABC Records 17 781 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Guatemala | ABC Records AB-12254First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Italy | ABC Records ABC 22039First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Japan | ABC Records YK-832-ABFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Mexico | ABC Records MI 30395 / Musart MI 30395First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | ABC Records AB 12254First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | New Zealand | RCA AB 122547", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Spain | ABC Records 021254/2 / Mediterraneo 02.1254/2First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | UK | ABC Records AB 4179First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | ABC Records ABC 4179First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | US | ABC Records AB-12254First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
19 vinyl pressings of Margaritaville are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is ABC Records AB-12254.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB-12254, P-2792, ABC 4179, AB 4179) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB-12254-17097-S 1A MASTERFONICS s and AB-12254-17098-S 1A MASTERFONICS s. 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.
