Vinyl pressings
by The Floaters · 1977
Float On 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.
40 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 23 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.
45-17164-SA Side Label
45-17165-SB Side Label
p (stamped, inverted) 17164·S (6)[number inside circle] (etched)A side deadwax
p (stamped, inverted) AB-12284-B-17165-S (5)[number inside circle] (etched)B side deadwax
45-17164-SLabel Side A
45-17165-SLabel Side B
T AB-12284-17164-S 9 XA-Side Runout Etching
T1 AB-12284-17165-BS 7B-Side Runout Etching
45-17164-SA-Side Label
45-17165-SB-Side Label
AB-12284-A 17164-S (I) SRunout Etching Side A
AB-12284-B 17165-S (I) SRunout Etching Side B
45-17164-SLabel Side A
45-17165-SLabel Side B
ABC-4187-A-1 ∴ JONZRunout, etched side A
ABC-4187-B-2̶-3 ∴Runout, etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Music Hall 32585First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | ABC Records 102979First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Brazil | ABC Records 6.26-101-050First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Canada | ABC Records 1022-12284First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Canada | ABC Records 1022-12284First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | France | ABC Records 49 304 / ABC Records 49.304First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | ABC Records 11 368 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | ABC Records 25 414 XTFirst year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Greece | ABC Records AB 12284First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Guatemala | ABC Records 12284First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Guatemala | ABC Records 12284First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | ABC Records ABC 22042First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1977 | Jamaica | ABC Records AB-12284First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Mexico | ABC Records MI 30417 / ABC Records AB - 12284First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Netherlands | ABC Records 11 368 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 140312", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 140212", White Label, Promo · Promo | 12", White Label, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | MCA Records MCA 14037", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1990 | UK | MCA Records WMCAT 140212", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Jamaica | ABC Records AB-122847", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | MCA Records P - 27937", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
47 vinyl pressings of Float On are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1977 and 1990.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Venezuela, Japan and more. One of them is ABC Records AB-12284, released June 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB-12284, ABC 4187, 45-726, YK-839-AB) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45-17164-S and 45-17165-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.
