Vinyl pressings
by Ohio Players · 1974
Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
29 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 16 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.
SRM-1-1013-A-CT2 \T MASTERDISK G.K.Runout side A, variant 1
SRM-1-1013-B-CT1 2T MASTERDISK G.K.Runout side B, variant 1
SRM-1-1013-A-CT7 2T MASTERDISK G.K.Runout side A, variant 2
SRM-1-1013-B-CT1 2T MASTERDISK G.K.Runout side B, variant 2
SRM-1-1013-A-CS6 MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout, variant 1
SRM-1-1013-B-CS5 MASTERDISK G.K.Side B runout, variant 1
SRM-1-1013-A-CS6 MASTERDISK G.K. 1 18Side A runout, variant 2
SRM-1-1013-B-CS5 MASTERDISK G.K. 1 5Side B runout, variant 2
SRM-1-1013-A-CP3 MASTERDISK G.K.Runout side A - variant 1
SRM-1-1013-B-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K.Runout side B - variant 1
SRM-1-1013-A-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K.Runout side A - variant 2
SRM-1-1013-B-CP3 MASTERDISK G.K.Runout side B - variant 2
SRM-1-1013-A-CS6 MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout
SRM-1-1013B-CS5 MASTERDISK G.K.Side B runout
SRM-1-1013-ASide A label
SRM-1-1013-BSide B label
SRM-1-1013-A-CS6 S2 MASTERDISK G.K.Side A
SRM-1-101 ̷6̷ 3-B-CS5 2 MASTERDISK G.K. A22Side B
SRM-1-1013-ASide A label
SRM-1-1013-BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Unknown | Mercury SRM-1-1013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Barbados | Mercury SRM-1-1013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Brazil | Mercury 6338 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-1013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-1013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-1013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Mercury 9100 009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Phonogram 6338 527First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Greece | Mercury 6338 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Jamaica | Mercury SRM-1-1013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Mercury SRM-1-1013 / Mercury IMPP-10013First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Mexico | Mercury LPR19019First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 527First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | US | Friday Music FRM-11013 / Mercury FRM-11013LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Remastered · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2021 | Europe | Mercury 782 507 / Lmlr 782 507LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Mercury SRM-1-1013LP, Repress, Stereo | LP, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | US | Mercury SRM-1-1013LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Mercury 6338 527 / Mercury SRM-1-1013-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
46 vinyl pressings of Fire are listed here, from 25 countries, released between 1974 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Barbados, Brazil and more. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-1013, released October 29, 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-1013, 9100 009, 6338 527, LPR19019) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-1-1013-A-CT2 \T MASTERDISK G.K. and SRM-1-1013-B-CT1 2T MASTERDISK G.K.. 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.
