Vinyl pressings
by John Coltrane · 1978
The Mastery Of John Coltrane 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.
9 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 3 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.
1S IZ xx-9345-A (3) SXTSide A runout
SXT 1S IZ xx-9345-A (3) >Side B runout
S IZ xx-9345-2-C (3) > SXTSide C runout
1S IZ xx-9345-2-D (3) > SXTSide D runout
IZ I̶A̶-9345-2-A ⑤ > △23355Side A runout
IZ-I̶A̶-9345-2-B ⑤ > △23355-X LIJSide B runout
IZ-I̶A̶-9345-2-C ⑤ > △23356Side C runout
IZ I̶A̶ 9345-2-D ⑤△23356-XSide D runout
IZ-I̶A̶-9345-2-A ⑥ > SP 1-1Runout Side A
IZ-I̶A̶-9345-2-B ⑥ > SP 1-1Runout Side B
IZ-I̶A̶-9345-2-C ⑥ > SP 1-Runout Side C
IZ-9345-2-D ⑥ SP 1-1Runout Side D, "IZ" is etched on top of "IA"
IS IZ I̶A̶-9345-2-A ④ > A1Runout side A
IS IZ-I̶A̶-9345-B ② EW A2Runout side B
IS IZ-I̶A̶-9345-C ① EW A1Runout side C
IS IZ I̶A̶ 9345-2-D ④ A1Runout side D
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 | Canada | ABC Impulse! 2027-9345First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | MCA Records MIZ2 9345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | ABC Impulse! YB-8511~2-AIFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IZ 9345/2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IZ 9345/2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IZ 9345/2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IZ 9345/2First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IZ 9345 / 2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | ABC Impulse! IZ 9345/2First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MIZ2 9345LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Impulse! 2 4138 / ABC Impulse! IZ 9345/2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of The Mastery Of John Coltrane are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada, Japan. One of them is ABC Impulse! IZ 9345/2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use IZ 9345/2, IZ 9345 / 2, 2027-9345, MIZ2 9345) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1S IZ xx-9345-A (3) SXT and SXT 1S IZ xx-9345-A (3) >. 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.
