Vinyl pressings
by Pat Metheny Group · 1979
American Garage was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 4 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.
2301 155 S 1 320Side A, stamped, variant 1
2301 155 S 2 320Side B, stamped, variant 1
2301 155 S 1 320 E 1Side A, stamped, variant 2
2301 155 S 2 320 E 1Side B, stamped, variant 2
ECM-1-1155- WA 4 RL 36378 [(W) logo]Side A runout, variant 1
ECM-2-1155- WA 3 MASTERDISK RL mo#5 36378 [(W) logo]Side B runout, variant 1
ECM-1-1155- WA 3 #1 Masterdisk RL MO#2 36378Side A runout, variant 2
ECM-2-1155- WA 3 #1 Masterdisk RL MO#2 36378Side B runout, variant 2
ECM-1-1155-P1 MASTERDISK RLSide A run-out area etched, "MASTERDISK" stamped
ECM-2-1155-P1 MASTERDISK RLSide B run-out area etched, "MASTERDISK" stamped
ECM-1-1155-A-WA-2 [(W) logo] MASTERDISK RL MO#2 36378A side runout
ECM-1-1155-B-WA-2 [(W) logo] MASTERDISKRL 36378B side runout
ECM-1-1155-A-WA-5 MO#2 36378-A-WA5A Side etched
ECM-1-1155-Bwa5 SM#1 36378B Side etched
Masterdisk (ᵛᵛ) [Tulip Shaped]A and B Side stamped
ECM-1-1155-E1 BKA side etched run-out
ECM-2-1155-E1 0-1 SM1-1 BKB side etched run-out
MASTERDISK EDPB side stamped run-out
ECM-1-1155A & B sides labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Japan | ECM Records PAP-9180First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1155First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1155 / ECM Records 2301 155First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | ECM Records 2301 155LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | ECM Records 58.001LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | ECM Records ECM 1155LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | ECM Records ECM 1155LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB ECM 1155 / ECM Records ECM 1155LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Brazil | ECM Records 2301 155LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Japan | ECM Records 25MJ 3315LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Brazil | ECM Records 2301 155LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1155 / ECM Records 274 9654LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1155 / ECM Records 274 9654LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of American Garage are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1979 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany, US, Canada, Japan. One of them is ECM Records ECM 1155, released November 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ECM 1155, ECM-1-1155, PAP-9180) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2301 155 S 1 320 and 2301 155 S 2 320. 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.
