Vinyl pressings
by Kenny Rogers · 1978
The Gambler 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.
40 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
UALA-934-1⑵ RFS/MC Master Control Nashville 6 CXA Side variant 2
UALA-934-2 6-12 CX FB side variant 2
UALA-934-1⑵ RFS/MC A1 CX 1SA Side Etch
UALA-934-2 6-12 CX S1B Side Etch
UALA-934-1⑵ RFS/MC A1 CX 1SA Side Etch
UALA-934-2 6-12 CX S1B Side Etch
77 UALA-934-1 RFJ/Master Control Nashville M2Side A etched
77 UALA-934-2 M6 RFS/Master Control NashvilleSide B etched
77 UALA-934-1 MO RFS/Master Control NashvilleSide A etched Variant 2
77 UALA-934-2 MO RFS/Master Control NashvilleSide B etched Variant 2
CX UALA-934-1 RFJ/MC Master Control NashvilleSide A Runout, variant 1
UALA-934-2 RFJ/MC (3-79)Side B Runout, variant 1
UALA-934-(scratch through)-1 (3-79) RFJ/MC CXSide A Runout, variant 2
Z CX R UALA-934-2 RFJ/MC Master Control NashvilleSide B Runout, variant 2
UALA-934-1 RFJ/MC Master Control Nashville CX 3Side A variant 1
UALA-934-2 RFJ/Master Control Nashville CXSide B variant 1
UALA-934-1 RFJ/ Master Control Nashville 00Side A variant 2
UALA-934-1 M-1 RFJ/ Master Control Nashville 00Side B variant 2
UALA-934-1 M4 RFS/Master Control Nashville OOSide A Etched - Variant 1
UALA-934-2 RFS/Master Control Nashville OOSide B Etched - Variant 1
UALA-934-1 M-2 RFS/Master Control Nashville OOSide A Etched - Variant 2
UALA-934-2 RFS/Master Control Nashville OOSide B Etched - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | United Artists Records 8842First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Australia | United Artists Records L36805First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | United Artists Records UALA 500934 / United Artists Records UALA 50934LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Colombia | EMI 11759First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Hong Kong | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Netherlands | United Artists Records 5C 062-62185First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | United Artists Records L36805First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | North America (inc Mexico) | United Artists Records, Inc. ua-la934First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Philippines | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | United Artists Records UA-LA 934-HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Singapore | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | United Artists Records UAS 7235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия С60-14431-2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия С60-14431-32LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия С60-14431-2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия С60-14431-2LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | USSR | Мелодия С60-14431 / Мелодия С60-14432LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Australia | United Artists Records UAC-5001LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab MFSL 1-044LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo · Limited |
| 1981 | USSR | Мелодия С 60-14431-2LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 1981 | USSR | Мелодия С60-14431-32LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1982 | USSR | Мелодия С 60—14431-2LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1985 | Spain | Liberty 056 1621851 / Liberty 056-1621851LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | USSR | Мелодия С60-14431-2LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| 1987 | USSR | Мелодия С60-14431-32LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | United Artists Records 50999 9 12053 1 5LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | United Artists Records UAC-5001LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Liberty LO-500934LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Liberty LO-500934 / Liberty LOO 50934LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Canada | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Europe | Liberty 1A 038-15 7585 1 / United Artists Records 1A 038-15 7585 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | Liberty 1A 038-15 7585 1 / United Artists Records 1A 038-15 7585 1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Liberty 1C 038 15 7585 1 / Fame 1C 038 15 7585 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | EMI America 038 15 7585 1 / Fame 1C 038 15 7585 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | South Korea | Stereophonic M 283LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | Liberty LO-934LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Liberty LN-10247LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | United Artists Records UA-LA934-HLP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Liberty LO-934LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
90 vinyl pressings of The Gambler are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1978 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is United Artists Records UA-LA934-H, released November 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UA-LA934-H, UAG 30220, 8842, L36805) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UALA-934-1⑵ RFS/MC Master Control Nashville 6 CX and UALA-934-2 6-12 CX F. 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.
