Vinyl pressings
by Pat Metheny · 1981
As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls 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.
7 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 5 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.
ECM-1190-A4 MASTERDISK RL SUBMO#1 #1 SUBMA [W over M] 38537-ARunout side A, variant 1
ECM-1190-B4 MASTERDISK RL MO#3 [W over M] 38537-BRunout side B, variant 1
ECM-1190-A4 MASTERDISK RL MO#4 #7 [W over M] 38537-ARunout side A, variant 2
ECM-1190-B4 MO#6 MASTERDISK RL #3 [W over M] 38537-BRunout side B, variant 2
[WM logo] 38537-AWA9 #7 MASTERDISK TD ECM-1190-A-WA9Side A runout, variant 1
[WM logo] 38537-BWA10 #6 TD ECM-1190-B-WA10 MASTERDISK BKSide B runout, variant 1
[WM logo] 38537-AWA9 MASTERDISK TD ECM-1190-A-WA9 #1Side A runout, variant 2
[WM logo] 38537-B ECM-1190 - B4 MASTERDISK RL SUB MO# 3 #5Side B runout, variant 2
ECM-1190-A4 MASTERDISK RL MO#8 DM5 W38537-ASide A runout
ECM-1190-B4 MASTERDISK RL MO#7 DM10 W38537-BSide B runout
2301 190 S 1 320 1A YSide A runout, stamped - variant 1
2301 190 S 2 320 1A QSide B runout, stamped - variant 1
2301 190 S1 320 AG 1ASide A runout, stamped - variant 2
2301 190 S2 320 AA 1CSide B runout, stamped - variant 2
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 | Brazil | ECM Records 58.044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | ECM Records ECM 1-1190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1190 / ECM Records 2301 190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | ECM Records PAP-25505 / ECM Records ECM 1190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | ECM Records PAP-25505 / ECM Records ECM 1190First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1190First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | ECM Records ECM-1-1190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | ECM Records 2301-190 / Ariola 2301-190LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | ECM Records 25MJ 3335LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1985 | Brazil | ECM Records 2301 190LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | South Korea | Sung Eum Limited SEL-RG-1089 / ECM Records 821 416-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Yugoslavia | ECM Records ECM 1190 / PGP RTB 221147LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | ECM Records ECM 1190 / ECM Records 2301 190LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | ECM Records 818 890-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | ECM Records 818 890-1LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1981 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Brazil, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is ECM Records ECM-1-1190.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ECM-1-1190, 58.044, ECM 1-1190, ECM 1190) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ECM-1190-A4 MASTERDISK RL SUBMO#1 #1 SUBMA [W over M] 38537-A and ECM-1190-B4 MASTERDISK RL MO#3 [W over M] 38537-B. 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.
