Vinyl pressings
by Alice Cooper · 1986
Constrictor was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
MCA 5514 ML-3Side A Etched (Variant 1)
MCA 5515 ML-4Side B Etched (Variant 1)
◈ P ◈ THL-XSide A Stamped (Variant 1)
◈ P ◈ THL-MSide B Stamped (Variant 1)
MCA 5514 ML-1 TML-XRunout side A variant 1 MCA 5514 ML-1 (etched) TML-X (stamped)
MCA 5515 ML-2 TML-MRunout side B variant 1 MCA 5515 ML-2 (etched) TML-M (stamped)
MCA 5514 ML-1 TML-X ⧈-G-⧈Runout Side A Variant 2
MCA 5515 ML-2 TML-M ⧈-G-⧈Runout Side B Variant 2
MCFP+3341+A ORLAKERunout, Side A
MCFP+3341+B ORLAKERunout, Side B
MCF 3341 A // 1 ∇ 420 T 1Side A, runout, stamped
POUNDA TA1PESide A, runout, etched
MCF 3341 B // 1 ∇ 420 T 1Side B, runout, stamped
3 〄 P-13405-1 TO 6-Y 1-A-1Runout, side A
3 〄 P-13405-2 TO 1-A-2Runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | MCA Records 5761-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5761LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 254 253-1 / MCA Records MCA-5761First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Mexico | MCA Records LCA-6548First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Mexico | MCA Records LCA-6548First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | MCA Records 254 253-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3341First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5761LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5761LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA 5761First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCFP 3341First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13405First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | MCA Records MCA 3341 / MCA Records MCF 3341LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | South Korea | Sun J-1LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release, Stereo · Unofficial |
18 vinyl pressings of Constrictor are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Japan, Australia & New Zealand and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5761.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5761, MCA 5761, MCFP 3341, MCF 3341) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 5514 ML-3 and MCA 5515 ML-4. 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.
