Vinyl pressings
by Larry Coryell · 1975
The Essential was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
MPO MU VSD 75 A DTVRunout side A [Stamped]
MPO MU VSD 75 B DTVRunout side B [Stamped]
MPO MU VSD 76 A DTVRunout side C [Stamped]
MPO MU VSD 76 B DTVRunout side D [Stamped]
P V SD-76A 1ASide A runout
P V SD-76B 1ASide B runout
VAC 76ASide A label
VAC 76BSide B label
VSD 75 A-1◇XRunout side A, Variant 1 & 2
VSD 75 B-1◇XRunout side B, Variant 1 & 2
VSD 75 C-1◇XRunout side C, Variant 1
VSD 75 - CZMD▵Runout side D, Variant 1
p V SD--75A 1A DRunout A
p V SD--75B 1A CRunout B
p V SD--75A 1A ARunout C
p V SD--75B 1A CRunout D
V SD--75 A 1ARunout side A [Stamped]
V SD--75 B 1ARunout side B [Stamped]
VAC 75 ALabel side A
VAC 75 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Unknown | Vanguard VAC 76First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | France | Vanguard VSD 75/76 / Vanguard VSD • 75/76First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | UK | Vanguard VSD • 75/76 / Vanguard VSD • 75First yearLP, Album, Compilation | LP, Album, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VSD 75/76First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VSD 75/76First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VAC 75 / Vanguard VSD 75First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1975 | US | Vanguard VSD 75/76LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | Vanguard VSD 75/76 / Vanguard VSD • 75/76LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Australia | World Record Club R-08090LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Vanguard 134 CRY 62 294/95 / Crystal 134 CRY 62 294/95LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | South Korea | HS 552LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
11 vinyl pressings of The Essential are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1975 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in France, UK, US. One of them is Vanguard VSD 75/76.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VSD 75/76, VAC 76, VSD • 75/76, VAC 75) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MPO MU VSD 75 A DTV and MPO MU VSD 75 B DTV. 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.
