Vinyl pressings
by Three Dog Night · 1976
American Pastime was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
ABCD-928-A Keel 7Side A, Variant 1
ABCD-928-B 8Side B, Variant 1
ABCD-928-A [circled 7]Side A, Variant 2
ABCD-928-B [circled 7] 7 KEELSide B, Variant 2
ABCD-928-A ⑪ > K-7401 G♥LSide A
ABCD-928-B 928B K-7403 G♥L ABCD-9̶1̶2̶-̶B̶ ⑪ >Side B
T1 ABCD-928-A ⑮Side A Runout
T2 ABCD-928-B ⑬Side B Runout
T1 ABCD-928-A ⑤Side A Runout (variant)
T2 ABCD-928-B ⑤Side A Runout (variant)
ABCD-928-A ② B 1.5Runouts side A
ABCD-928-B ② SX B S2Runouts side B
ABCD-928-A ② SX E S ISide A etched
ABCD-928-B ② B S ISide B etched
ABCD - 928 - A ⑫ > K - 7402 GOLSide A
ABCD - 9̶1̶2̶-̶B̶ ⑪ > ABCD 928 - B 928-B K - 7403 GOLSide 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | Music Hall 50-14.226First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | ABC Records ABCD928 / ABC Records ABCD 928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | ABC Records ABCD928 / ABC Records ABCD 928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Records ABCD928 / ABC Records ABCD 928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | ABC Records 27 414 XOTFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8030-ABFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | ABC Records YX-8030-ABFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | South Africa | ABC Records ABCL 0148 / ABC Records ABCD 928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | ABC Records LP-0102 / Mediterraneo LP-0102First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Taiwan | Kong Mei Record Co., Ltd. KM-2023LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
| 1976 | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5159First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records ABCD928 / ABC Records ABCD 928First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records ABCD928 / ABC Records ABCD 928First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records ABCD928 / ABC Records ABCD - 928First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records ABCD928 / ABC Records ABCD-928First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
22 vinyl pressings of American Pastime are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, New Zealand, Argentina and more. One of them is ABC Records ABCD928.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABCD928, ABCD-928, ABCL 5159, 50-14.226) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ABCD-928-A Keel 7 and ABCD-928-B 8. 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.
