Vinyl pressings
by The Blackbyrds · 1974
Flying Start was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 10 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.
F9472-A TML-S HSide A etched, "TML-S" "H" stamped
F9472-B TML-M HSide B etched, "TML-M" "H" stamped
F-9472-ASide A label
F-9472-BSide B label
F-9472-A-T TML-M I A1A runout
F-9472-B-T TML-M I A1B runout
F9472-A-1 TML-M I A1A runout (Variant 1)
F9472-B-1 TML-M I A1B runout (Variant 2)
p F9472-A TML-SRunout side A, etched/stamped
p F9472-B x TML-MRunout side B, etched/stamped
F-9472-APrint label A
F-9472-BPrint label B
p F9472-A TML-SRunout side A, variant 1
p F9472-B x TML-M ˈ⋰Runout side B, variant 1
P F9472-A TML-M V2Runout side A, variant 2
P F9472-B x TML-M ⋰Runout side B, varinat 2
F-9472-ASide 1 Label
F-9472-BSide 2 Label
F-9472-ASide 1 Label
F-9472-BSide 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | Fantasy L-35412 / Fantasy F-9472First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Canada | Fantasy F-9472First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Fantasy F-5998First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Bellaphon BLPS 19197 / Fantasy BLPS 19197First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Greece | Fantasy F-9472First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Fantasy LFS-80133First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Japan | Fantasy LFS-80133First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Mexico | Gamma GX 01-790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | Fantasy FYL-35412First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Philippines | Fantasy F-9472First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Fantasy F-9472First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Fantasy F-9472-DJFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Fantasy F-9472First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Fantasy F-9472First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Fantasy F-9472First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | Fantasy 0061.108LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | UK | BGP Records BGPD 1089LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Reissue, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1999 | UK | BGP Records BGPD 1089LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Taiwan | First Record FL-2549LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | BGP Records BGPD 1089LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Fantasy F-9472LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
38 vinyl pressings of Flying Start are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1974 and 1999.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is Fantasy F-9472, released December 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use F-9472, F-9472-DJ, L-35412, F-5998) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F9472-A TML-S H and F9472-B TML-M H. 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.
