Vinyl pressings
by Steely Dan · 1973
Countdown To Ecstasy was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 14 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.
S \ ABCX 779 A (10) V A 3A runout, variant 1
S 2 \ ABCX 779 B (2) V A3B runout, variant 1
S \ ABCX 779 A (13) V A4A runout, variant 2
S \ ABCX 779 B (3) V A14B runout, variant 2
P ABCX 779-A ⑩ HVar.1 Runout A
P ABCX 779 B ⑦ VVar.1 Runout B
ABCX-779A ㉔ HVar. 2 Runout A
ABCX 779 B ⑦ VVar. 2 Runout B
1T ABCX-779 A ⑲ HSide A, variant 1
T1 ABCX 779 B ④ VSide B, variant 1
1T ABCX-779A ⑱ H A6Side A, variant 2
T1 ABCX 779 B ⑤ V ASide B, variant 2
ABCX 779-A ⑩ VRunout side A (Variant 1), etched
ABCX 779 B ① NRunout side B (Variant 1), etched
ABCX-779A (24) HRunout side A (Variant 2), etched
ABCX 779 B ⑨ VRunout side B (Variant 2), etched
779-ASide A, etched
779-BSide B, etched
ABCX-779-ASide A label
ABCX-779-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Barbados | ABC Records ABCX-779First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | ABC Records ABCX-779 / Probe SPOL-15.047First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records ABCX-779First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | Probe 2C 064-94640 / Probe 2C 064-94.640First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Probe 1C 062-94 640First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Germany | ABC RecordsLP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Japan | Probe IPP-80872LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 062-94 640 / Probe 5C 062-94640First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Probe PROLP 8049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Probe PROLP 8049LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Africa | ABC Records ABCL 0038First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Africa | ABC Records ABCL 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | Probe 1 J 062-94640First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | Probe SPB 1079 / Probe 0C 062 ◦ 94640First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | UK | Probe SPB 1079 / Probe 0C 062 ◦ 94640LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | MCA Records ABCX779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37041 / MCA Records MCA - 37041LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MAB 779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37041LP, Album, Mispress, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Mispress, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-4043LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | MCA Records AB 779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37041 / MCA Records MCA 37041LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | ABC Records ABCX-779 / ABC Records AB-779LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | ABC Records ABCX-779 / MCA Records MCA-37041LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-1592LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37041 / MCA Records MCA 37041LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 37041 / MCA Records MCA-1592LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records AB-779 / ABC Records ABCX-779LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Reissue · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37041 / MCA Records MCA 1592LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | ABC Records ABCX-779 / MCA Records MCA-37041LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Geffen Records UHQR 0010-45 / Analogue Productions UHQR 0010-4512", 45 RPM, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited, Numbered |
| 2023 | Worldwide | Geffen Records B0034988-01 / UMe B0034988-01LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | ABC Records ABCX-779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | ABC Records ABCX-779LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Australia & New Zealand | ABC Records ABCX 779 / ABC Records ABCX-779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia & New Zealand | ABC Records ABCX 779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Benelux | MCA Coral 201 347 / MCA Records 201.347LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ABC Records ABCX-779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ABC Records 9022-779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37041LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ABC Records 9022-779LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 201 347 / MCA Records 201 347-270LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 628-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 628-1 / MCA Records MCA 37041LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | MCA Records 201 347LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Not On Label 68091LP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| ? | Germany | ABC Records 27 200 ETLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
143 vinyl pressings of Countdown To Ecstasy are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1973 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCX-779.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCX-779, SPB 1079, IPP-80872, SPBA-3058) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S \ ABCX 779 A (10) V A 3 and S 2 \ ABCX 779 B (2) V A3. 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.
