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.
18 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 9 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.
Made in GermanyStamped side A/B
36470 A-1/78SEtched side A
36470 B-1/78SEtched side B
S 36 470 ALabel A
BP425 A-1-1-1-1 PENTHOUSE
BP425 B-1-1-1-1 PENTHOUSE
UAX-1250 T UAST-20122 1 RFS/MLSide A runout etching - variant 1
T UAST-19511 - 3Side B runout etching - variant 1
UAX-1250 T UAST-20122 1 RFS/ML TIISide A runout etching - variant 2
UAX-1250 UAST-19511 - 2 RFS/ML TIISide B runout etching - variant 2
UAX-1250 UAST-20122 1 RFS/MC R-3879Etched Side A
UAX-1250 UAST-20122 1 RFS/MC R-3879Etched Side B
UAST-20122Side A Label
UAST-19511Side B Label
p UAX-1250 UAST-20122 RFS/MCA runout
UAX-1250 UAST-19511 Masterfonics-MB runout
P UAX-1250 UAST-20122 RFS/MC /\Side A Runout, etched (except "P", "/\" stamped)
P UAX-1250 UAST-19511 RFS/MC /\Side AA Runout, etched (except "P", "/\" stamped)
UAST-20122Side A Label
UAST-19511Side AA Label
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 | Australia | United Artists Records K7313First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-X1250-YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Canada | United Artists Records UA-X1250-YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Canada | Liberty UA-X1250-YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Canada | Liberty UA-X1250-YFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Canada | Liberty UAXW-1250First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1978 | Germany | United Artists Records 36 470 AT / United Artists Records 036 470 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1978 | Japan | United Artists Records CM-203First year7" | 7" |
| 1978 | New Zealand | United Artists Records K7313First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | South Africa | United Artists Records UASP 372First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK | Liberty BP 425First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1978 | UK & Europe | United Artists Records UP 36490First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | United Artists Records UA-X1250-YFirst year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1978 | US | United Artists Records UA-X1250-YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1978 | US | United Artists Records UA-X1250-YFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Netherlands | Liberty 1A 006-16214477", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
25 vinyl pressings of The Gambler are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1978 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in Germany, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is United Artists Records 36 470 AT.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 36 470 AT, BP 425, UA-X1250-Y, K7313) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, Made in Germany and 36470 A-1/78S. 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.
