Vinyl pressings
by Merle Haggard · 1981
Big City was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 6 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.
o T1 PAL-37593-1F ..kdisc JGSide A runout, variant 1
o T1 PBL-37593-1F ..kdisc JGSide B runout, variant 1
PAL-37593-IJ .kdisc JGSide A runout, variant 2
o T1 PBL-37593-IF ..kdisc JGSide B runout, variant 2
o PAL-37593-1D P kdisc JG ARunout side A
o PBL-37593-1C P kdisc JG ARunout side B
AL 37593Label side A, matrix
BL 37593Label side B, matrix
T P o PAL-37593-1H .. kdisc JGRunout, Side A
P o PBL-37593-1D I .. kdisc JGRunout, Side B
AL 37593Label, Side A
BL 37593Label, Side B
PAL-37593-1A o kdisc JG B2 1SSide A Runout
PBL-37593-1A o kdisc JG B2 1SSide B Runout
AL 37593Side A, Printed On Label
BL 37593Side B, Printed On Label
1S G X PAL-37593-1A o kdisc JG BTRunout A
1S G PBL-37593-1A o kdisc JG A9Runout B
AL 37593Label A
BL 37593Label B
o G2 PAL-37593-1M .. kdisc JG A4Runout, Side A
o T1 PBL-37593-1F .. kdisc JG H12Runout, Side B
AL 37593Label, Side A
BL 37593Label, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Epic ELPS 4310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | Epic EPC 85303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Epic 85303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | Epic EPC 85303First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37593 / Epic 37593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | Epic FE 37593First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Canada | Epic FE 37593First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Epic PE 37593LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Epic FE 37593LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Big City are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, UK, Canada, Australia and more. One of them is Epic FE 37593.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FE 37593, EPC 85303, ELPS 4310, 85303) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, o T1 PAL-37593-1F ..kdisc JG and o T1 PBL-37593-1F ..kdisc JG. 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.
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