Vinyl pressings
by Steely Dan · 1976
The Royal Scam was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
58 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 21 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.
ABCD-931-A-1A AZ ❀ SVariant 1 - A-side runout
ABCD-931-B-1A AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ SVariant 1 - B-side runout
ABCD-931-A 1C AZ ❀ SVariant 2 - A-side runout
ABCD-931-B-1B AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ SVariant 2 - B-side runout
ABCD-931-A-RE1-1-1 AZSide A - Runout
ABCD-931-B-2-1-1 PRC AZSide B - Runout
ABCD-931-ASide A - Label
ABCD-931-BSide B - Label
ABCD-931-A-RE-X K AZSide A - Runout, variant 1
ABCD-931-B K AZSide B - Runout, variant 1
ABCD-931-A K AZ [seagulls]Side A - Runout, variant 2
ABCD-931-A-RE K AZSide A - Runout, variant 3
GOL ABCD-931-A-RE AZ ⁀⁀ K-7456Side A runout
GOL ABCD-931-B AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ K-7442Side B runout
ABCD 931 ASide 1 - Runout
ABCD 931 BSide 2 - Runout
AB-931-A (7)Side A
AB-931-B (4)Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Unknown | ABC Records ABCD-931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Argentina | Music Hall 50-14256 / Music Hall 50-14.256First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Argentina | Music Hall 50-14256, 50-14.256First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1976 | Australia | ABC Records ABCD 931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Australia & New Zealand | ABC Records ABCD-931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | ABC Records 6-26-404-029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-931First yearLP, Album · Colored vinyl | LP, Album · Colored vinyl |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | ABC Records 68.011First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | ABC Records 27 552 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | ABC Records ABCD-931First yearLP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1976 | India | ABC Records ABCD 931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Israel | ABC Records ABCD 931First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 201 433-270LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-4040LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | MCA Records AB 931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-1595LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-1595 / MCA Records MCA-37044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37044 / MCA Records MCA 37044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records AB 931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37044 / MCA Records ABCD 931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37044LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37044 / ABC Records ABCD-931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | MCA Records MCL 1708LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1998 | UK | Simply Vinyl SVLP 0046LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | US | Analogue Productions UHQR 0013-45 / ABC Records ABCD-93112", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 2025 | US | Geffen Records UHQR 0013-45 / UMe UHQR 0013-4512", 45 RPM, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited, Numbered | 12", 45 RPM, Album, Numbered, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo, Box Set, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited, Numbered |
| 2025 | US | Geffen Records 602445332489LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 2025 | Worldwide | Geffen Records 602445332489 / UMe 602445332489LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records ABCD 931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | ABC Records ABCD 931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records ABCD 931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Benelux | MCA Records 201.433 / MCA Records 201 433LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MAB-931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MAB-931LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 201 433-320 / MCA Records 201 433LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | MCA Records MAC 01708LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 201 433-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | ABC Records ABCD 931LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 201 433-320LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 201 433-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | MCA Records MCMP 31005LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | MCA Records 1A 062-63254LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | MCA Records 201 433 / MCA Records 201.433LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
133 vinyl pressings of The Royal Scam are listed here, from 27 countries, released between 1976 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, New Zealand, Argentina and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCD-931.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCD-931, ABCD 931, AB-931, ABCL 5161) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ABCD-931-A-1A AZ ❀ S and ABCD-931-B-1A AZ ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ S. 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.
