Vinyl pressings
by Phil Manzanera · 1977
Listen Now was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 13 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.
2302074 A//2 1 2 6Runout side A, variant 1
2302074 B//1 1 1Runout side B, variant 1
2302074 A//2 T 1 1 4Runout side A, variant 2
2302074 B//1 T 1 2 3Runout side B, variant 2
2302074 A//2 T 14 3Runout side A, stamped, variant 1
2302074 B//1 T 15 1 0Runout side B, stamped, variant 1
2302074 A//2 T 11 10Runout side A, stamped, variant 2
2302074 B//1 T 15 2Runout side B, stamped, variant 2
PD-1-6147 AS-PRC-1-1-1 MASTERDISK G.K. PRCSide 1 runout variant 2, etched except MASTERDISK, stamped.
PD-1-6147 BS-PRC-1-1-1-1 MASTERDISK G.K. PRCSide 2 runout variant 2, etched except MASTERDISK, stamped.
PD-1-6147 AS-PRC-1-1-1 MASTERDISK G.K. PRCSide 1 runout variant 3
PD-1-6147 BS-PRC-1-1-11 MASTERDISK G.K. PRCSide 2 runout variant 3
[British Flag?] A PD-1-6147 AS-K G.K.Side A etched runout
B-1 [British Flag?] PD-1-6147 BS-K G.K.Side B etched runout
MASTERDISKSide A & B stamped runout
PD-1-6147-A Intl. # 2310 571Side A label
PD-1-6147 AS-CT1 \T G.K.Side A runout, etched, variant 1
PD-1-6147 BS-CT1 \T G.K.Side B runout, etched, variant 1
PD-1-6147 AS-CT 1T G.K. B MASTERDISKSide A runout, etched, MASTERDISK B stamped, variant 2
PD-1-6147 BS-CT 111T G.K. A MASTERDISKSide B runout, etched, MASTERDISK A stamped, variant 2
PD-1-6147 AS-CT1 1T G.K.Side A runout [etched]
PD-1-6147 BS-CT1 1T G.K.Side B runout [etched]
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Polydor 2310 571First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Polydor 2302 074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Polydor 2344 082First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Greece | Polydor 2310 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Polydor 2310 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Polydor 2310 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 571First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Spain | Polydor 23 10 571First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2302 074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | UK | Polydor 2302 074First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Polydor PD-1-6147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | US | EG PD-1-6147 / Polydor PD-1-6147First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Canada | Editions EG EGLP 30LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Editions EG EGLP 30LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | US | Editions EG EGLP 30LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6147LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | Polydor 2302 074LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| ? | US | Polydor PD-1-6147 / Polydor 2310 571LP, Album, Reissue, Repress | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress |
28 vinyl pressings of Listen Now are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1977 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Italy, Japan and more. One of them is Polydor 2302 074.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2302 074, PD-1-6147, 2310 571, MPF 1117) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2302074 A//2 1 2 6 and 2302074 B//1 1 1. 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.
