Vinyl pressings
by Walter Murphy · 1979
Discosymphony was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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.
BXL1 3506B- ̷2̷ 2 RCA STERLINGSide A runout etched, 2 STERLING stamped, variant 1
BXL1-3506B-11Side B runout etched, variant 1
A̶L̶ BXL-1-3506-A 1 STERLING Ⅰ A1ASide A runout, variant 2
BXL-1-3506-B 2 RCA STERLING Ⅰ A1ASide B runout, variant 2
BXL1-3506-ALabel side A
BXL1-3506-BLabel side B
BXL1-3506Label side A
BXL1-3506Label side B
BXL1 3506-A W174 *
BXL1-3506-B W175 *
BXL1 3506A D03Side A runout etched
BXL-1-3506Side B runout etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Argentina | RCA Victor AVSI-4768 / RCA Victor BXL1-3506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Brazil | RCA Victor 104.8134First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Philippines | RCA Victor BXL1-3506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | RCA Victor BXL1-3506 INTFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | New York International Records BXL1-3506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | New York International Records BXL1-3506First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Chile | RCA Victor BXL1-3506LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | RCA Victor BXL1-3506LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Venezuela | RCA Victor LPVS-1898LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Mexico | RCA Victor MILS-4512LP, Album | LP, Album |
10 vinyl pressings of Discosymphony are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, Argentina, Brazil, Philippines and more. One of them is New York International Records BXL1-3506.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BXL1-3506, AVSI-4768, 104.8134, BXL1-3506 INT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BXL1 3506B- ̷2̷ 2 RCA STERLING and BXL1-3506B-11. 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.
