Vinyl pressings
by Paul Winter · 1978
Common Ground was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 1978, the album's first year, in 2 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.
S1 SP-5133-T2 SXT MASTERDISK RL ESide 1 runout, etched exc. "MASTERDISK", stamped
SP-5134 T-2 C10 SXT S1Side 2 runout, etched.
S1 SP-5133-T2 SXT MASTERDISK RL ESide 1 runout, etched exc. "MASTERDISK", stamped
T1 SP-5134 RE-1 T3 MASTERDISK RLSide 2 runout, etched exc. "MASTERDISK", stamped
SP-5133-M2 △234246 (4) MASTERDISKSide A Runout, Etched ['Masterdisk' stamped]
5134-M-1-RE1 △234246-X(10) MASTERDISKSide B Runout, Etched ['Masterdisk' stamped]
AM SP 5133 RCA 1 . Circle with 2 dots V1BSide A, Variant 1, V upside down
AM SP 5134 ES 1 .. Circle with 2 dots V2ASide B, Variant 1, V upside down
S̶P̶.5133.A̶-IND.3 A1 D MASTERDISK @ ISide A etched, A1 Masterdisk stamped
A&M SP.5134-IND-3 A1 ISide B etched, A1 stamped
SP-4698/STEREO (SP-5133)Side A label
SP-4698/STEREO (SP-5134)Side B label
SP-5133-M-2 I MASTERDISK △23426 (4)Side A
5134-M-1-RE1 △23426-X (10) MASTERDISKSide B
SP-5133Side A label
SP-5134Side B label
̷S̷P̷-5133- ̷A̷ -IND-3 MASTERDISK CD (monogram) II A3CRunout side A etched [MASTERDISK, A3 stamped]
A&M SP.5134-IND-3 ɪ (horizontal) AI FRunout side B etched [ɪ, AI stamped]
SP-5133Side A Label
SP-5134Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | A&M Records SP-4698First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Japan | A&M Records C28Y3201LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | A&M Records C28Y3201LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | A&M Records SP-4698LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Common Ground are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1978 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada. One of them is A&M Records SP-4698.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SP-4698) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S1 SP-5133-T2 SXT MASTERDISK RL E and SP-5134 T-2 C10 SXT S1. 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.
