Vinyl pressings
by The Incredible Bongo Band · 1972
Bongo Rock was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 2 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.
32253 P̶R̶1̶0̶1̶5̶ 12L4082Ⓢ ℗1972 MGM RECORDS, INC.Runout side A, 32253 is mirrored
(Ƨ) (Ƨ) K-14588 P̶R̶1̶0̶1̶5̶ 12.L.4081Ⓢ ℗1972 MGM RECORDS, INC. [mirrored: 32254]Runout side B
72 L 4082Label side A
72 L 4081Label side B
K-2618 PR1015 72L4082(s) ⓟ1972 MGM RECORDS INC.A runout
K-2619 PR1015 72L4081(s) ⓟ1972 MGM RECORDS INC.B runout
(72 L 4082)A label
(72 L 4081)B label
K-2618 PR1015 72L4082 ⓢ ⓟ 1972 MGM RECORDS, Inc.Side A
K-2619 PR1015 72L4081 ⓢ ⓟ 1972 MGM RECORDS, Inc.Side B
72L 4082-S G MA-Side Runout Etching
72L 4081-S G MB-Side Runout Etching
72 L 4082A-Side Label
72 L 4081B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | MGM Records K-14588*First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Pride PR 1015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Pride PR 1015First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | US | MGM Records K 14588First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Pride PR 1015First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | MGM Records K 14588First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | US | Pride PR 1015First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Argentina | MGM Records 20061617", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Argentina | MGM Records 2006 1617", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Australia | MGM Records 2006 1617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | MGM Records 2006 1617", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Belgium | MGM Records 2006 1617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Brazil | MGM Records 2006 1617", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | MGM Records 2006 1617", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Germany | MGM Records 2006 1617", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
33 vinyl pressings of Bongo Rock are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1972 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Canada. One of them is MGM Records K 14588.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 14588, PR 1015, K-14588*) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 32253 P̶R̶1̶0̶1̶5̶ 12L4082Ⓢ ℗1972 MGM RECORDS, INC. and (Ƨ) (Ƨ) K-14588 P̶R̶1̶0̶1̶5̶ 12.L.4081Ⓢ ℗1972 MGM RECORDS, INC. [mirrored: 32254]. 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.
