Vinyl pressings
by B.B. King · 1985
Six Silver Strings was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, 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-4674-ASR-4 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈Side 1 Etched [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈ Stamped
MCA-4592-ASR4 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈Side 2 Etched [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈ Stamped
MCA4674Label Side 1
MCA4592Label Side 2
MCA-4674-ASR-2 [Artisan Logo] |_| G |_|Side A runout
MCA-4592-ASR 2 [Artisan Logo] |_| G |_|Side B runout
MCA 4674Side A label
MCA 4592Side B label
MCF3281A//1▽420W PhilSide A runout stamped, Phil etched variant 1
MCF3281B//1▽420W PhilSide B runout stamped, Phil etched variant 1
MCF3281A//1▽420W 1 1 PhilSide A runout stamped & etched variant 2
MCF3281B//1▽420W 11 3 PhilSide B runout stamped & etched variant 2
56.697.162/0002-66
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Argentina | MCA Records MCA-4674First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Europe | MCA Records 252 326-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | MCA Records 252326-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Greece | MCA Records 252326-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1985 | Italy | MCA Records 252 326First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | MCA Records 252326 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3281First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3281First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records 604.7160First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-5616First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-5616LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-5616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-5616First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13329LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | MCA Records 127039 / MCA Records 604.7160LP | LP |
17 vinyl pressings of Six Silver Strings are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Argentina, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5616.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5616, MCF 3281, 604.7160, MCA-4674) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-4674-ASR-4 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈ and MCA-4592-ASR4 [Artisan logo] ◈-P-◈. 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.
