Vinyl pressings
by The Rumour · 1977
Max 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.
12 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 8 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.
6360149 1 Y // 2 IB 1 1 2 MELYSRunout A variant 1
6360149 2 Y // 2 IB 1 2 1 MELYSRunout B variant 1
63660149 1 Y // 1 IB 1 1 4 MELYSRunout A variant 2
6360149 2 Y // 2 IB 1 3 6 MELYSRunout B variant 2
SRM-1-1174 A-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout, variant 1
SRM-1-1174 A-BP3 MASTERDISK G.K.Side B runout, variant 1
SRM-1-1174 A-CP3 MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout, variant 2
SRM-1-1174 B-CP3 MASTERDISK G.K.Side B runout, variant 2
SRM-1-1174-A-CT2 1T MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout, variant 1, etched, ex. MASTERDISK stamped
SRM-1-1174 A-CT1 1T MASTERDISK G.K.Side B runout, variant 1, etched, ex. MASTERDISK stamped
SRM-1-1174-A-CT2 1T MASTERDISK G.K. A3Side A runout, variant 2, etched MASTERDISK, A stamped
SRM-1-1174 B-CT1 1T MASTERDISK G.K. A6Side B runout, variant 2, etched MASTERDISK, A stamped
SRM-1-1174-A-CS 6 15GK MASTERDISKA-side runout, variant 1 etchings [MASTERDISK, stamped]
SRM-1-1174-B-CS 5 15GK A 10 MASTERDISKB-side runout, variant 1 etchings [MASTERDISK, stamped]
SRM-1-1174 A-CS6 S1 MASTERDISK G.K.A-side runout, variant 2
SRM-1-1174 B-CS5 S1 MASTERDISK G.K. A5B-side runout, variant 2
MX184327-B 6360 149-1Side A (Stamped)
MX184328 6360 149-2Side B (Stamped)
SRM-1-1174-A SNB-Aℓ QRunout Side A
SRM-1-1174-B SNB-Aℓ QRunout 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 | Australia | Vertigo 6360 149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-1174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-1174First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Vertigo 6360 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Ireland | Philips 6360 149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Vertigo RJ-7287First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Vertigo RJ-7287First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Vertigo 6360149First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | UK | Vertigo 6360 149First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1174First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1174First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1174First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1174LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1977 | US | Mercury SRM-1-1174LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
14 vinyl pressings of Max are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Vertigo 6360 149.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6360 149, SRM-1-1174, RJ-7287, 6360149) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6360149 1 Y // 2 IB 1 1 2 MELYS and 6360149 2 Y // 2 IB 1 2 1 MELYS. 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.
