Vinyl pressings
by Basil Poledouris · 1982
Conan The Barbarian was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 7 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 3029 AMI ⧈-G-⧈ 2Runout side A; variant 1
MCA 3030-AMI ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B; variant 1
MCA 3029 AMI ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A; variant 2
MCA 3030 AMI ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B; variant 2
MCA 3029-AM3 ◈-P-◈Side A runout
MCA 3030-AM3 ◈-P-◈Side B runout
MCA3029Side A label
MCA3030Side B label
6399357 1 01 ℗1982 200Side A
6399357 2 01 ℗1982 200Side B
MCA 3029-AM2 MCA 6108-A ⧈-G-⧈Side 1
MCA 3030-AM1 MCA 6108-B ⧈-G-⧈Side 2
MCA-6108 (MCA3029)Label Side 1
MCA-6108 (MCA3030)Label Side 2
LKAY 36580 IS-IA2 7 PΔ Piero 20-4-82Runout side A
LKAY 36581 1S-IA2 PΔ 6 Piero 20-4-82Runout side B
LKAY 36580Label side A
LKAY 36581Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Brazil | MCA Records 6399 357First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | France | RCA PL 37666First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Italy | RCA BL 31637 / RCA Original Cast BL 31637First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | RCA BL 31637 / RCA Original Cast BL 31637First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-7283First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-7283First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Taiwan | MCA Records KP-1045 / Kolin KP-1045First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA-6108First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA-6108 / MCA Records MCA3030First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | MCA Records MCA-1566LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-1566LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-6108 / MCA Records MCA-1566LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Brazil | MCA Records 6047210LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Geffen Records B0023619-01 / Universal Music Enterprises B0023619-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2018 | France | Milan 3299039979921LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
16 vinyl pressings of Conan The Barbarian are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1982 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Brazil, Canada, France and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-6108.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-6108, 6399 357, PL 37666, BL 31637) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 3029 AMI ⧈-G-⧈ 2 and MCA 3030-AMI ⧈-G-⧈. 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.
