Vinyl pressings
by The Michael Schenker Group · 1981
MSG was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
203957 A-1/81S I I II Made in GermanyRunout Side A, variant 1
203957 B-1/81S I I Made in GermanyRunout Side B
203957 A-1/81S I I IIRunout Side A, variant 2
203957 B-1/81S I IRunout Side B, variant 2
Side A: 203957 A-1/81S II II
Side B: 203957 B-1/81S II
203957 A-1/81S II II Made in GermanyRunout side A
203957 B-1/81s II II Made in GermanyRunout side B
203957 A-1/81S I IRunout Side A
203957 B-1/81S I IRunout Side B
CHR1336 A//1▽E420 1 1 6 RCRunout, side A, stamped & etched, variant 1
CHR1336 B//2▽E420 1 1 5Runout, side B, stamped, variant 1
CHR-1336 A//2▽E420 1 RCRunout, side A, stamped & etched, variant 2
CHR-1336 B//1▽E420 1Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | Chrysalis L 37667 / Chrysalis L-37667First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1336First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | Chrysalis CHR 1336First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | France | Chrysalis CHR 1336First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 957-320 / Chrysalis 203 957First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 203957-270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 957-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 957-270First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | Chrysalis 203 957-320 / Chrysalis 203 957First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Greece | Chrysalis 6399317LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1981 | Greece | Chrysalis 6399317First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | Chrysalis CHR 1336First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | Chrysalis CHR 1336First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | Chrysalis CHR 1336First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Netherlands | Chrysalis 203 957-320 / Chrysalis 203 957First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | UK | Chrysalis CRV1056LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | UK | Chrysalis CRPD1056LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Worldwide | Chrysalis Catalogue CHRB1336LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Remastered, LP · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Reissue, Remastered, LP · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | Chrysalis 203 957-270 / Chrysalis 203 957LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Chrysalis PV 41336LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
45 vinyl pressings of MSG are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1981 and 2024.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, UK, US, Japan and more. One of them is Chrysalis 203 957-320.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 203 957-320, 203957-270, 203 957-270, CHR 1336) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 203957 A-1/81S I I II Made in Germany and 203957 B-1/81S I I Made in Germany. 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.
