Vinyl pressings
by Amy Grant · 1980
Never Alone was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 3 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.
MSB-6645-Axx 3Variant 1 A side runout etch
MSB-6645-Bxxx MR MasterfonicsVariant 1 B side runout etch, exc Masterfonics stamp
MSB-6645-A Masterfonics ELA -△ 26721Variant 2 Side A etched Masterfonics stamped
MSB-6645-B Masterfonics ELA - 26721XVariant 2 Side B etched Masterfonics stamped
MSB-6645-AxxRunout Side A, Variant 1
MSB-6645-Bxxx MasterfonicsRunout Side B, Variant 1
MSB-6645-A MasterfonicsRunout Side A, Variant 2
MSB-6645-B MasterfonicsRunout Side B, Variant 2
MSB 6645 3687 A RE1 RSide A runout
MSB-6645-B XXX MASTERFONICSSide B runout. "MASTERFONICS" stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | Myrrh MSB-6645First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | UK | Myrrh MYR 1098First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Myrrh MSB-6645First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | Myrrh MSB-6645First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Sweden | Myrrh MYR 1098LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | Myrrh MYR 1098LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | Myrrh MSB-6645LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | Myrrh MSB-6645LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | US | Myrrh MSB-6645LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1987 | Canada | A&M Records SP 5053LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | US | A&M Records SP 5053LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia & New Zealand | Myrrh MSB-6645 / Myrrh 701 6645 061LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Never Alone are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1980 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Canada. One of them is Myrrh MSB-6645.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MSB-6645, MYR 1098) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MSB-6645-Axx 3 and MSB-6645-Bxxx MR Masterfonics. 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.
