Vinyl pressings
by Boston · 1986
Third Stage 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.
42 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 27 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-5948-MD 13 MASTERDISK EmwA Side, runout, etched / MASTERDISK stamped (Variant 1)
MCA-5949-MD10 11 MASTERDISK EmwB Side, runout, etched / MASTERDISK stamped (Variant 1)
MCA-5948-MD 10 MASTERDISK EmwA Side, runout, etched / MASTERDISK stamped (Variant 2)
MCA-5949-MD 10" MASTERDISK EmwB Side, runout, etched / MASTERDISK stamped (Variant 2)
MCA-5948-MD-5 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout A [Var 1]
MCA-5949-MD-6 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout B [Var 1]
MCA-5948-MD-4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout A [Var 2]
MCA-5949-MD-4 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈Runout B [Var 2]
MCA-5948-MD-1Variant 1
MCA-5949-MD8Variant 1
MCA-5948-MD9Variant 2
MCA-5949-MD8Variant 2
MCA-5948-MD-1 MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-5948-MD-1 MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-5948-MD-2 MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-5949-MD-2 MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 2
MCA-5948-MD-6 MASTERDISK Jzp ◈-P-◈ |Runout A, variant 1
MCA-5949-MD-6 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈ ||Runout B, variant 1
MCA-5948-MD-5 MASTERDISK Jzp ◈-P-◈ 1Runout A, variant 2
MCA-5949-MD-5 MASTERDISK Jzp ◈-P-◈Runout B, variant 2
MCA-5948-MD-14 MASTERDISKRunout side A
MCA-5949-MD-14 MASTERDISKRunout side B
MCA5948Side A label
MCA5949Side B label
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 | Argentina | MCA Records 80055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | MCA Records 6188-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Bolivia | MCA Records L-MCA-70.009 / MCA Records LMCA - 70.009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | MCA Records 610.7091 / MCA Records 37.003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6188First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-6188LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Ecuador | MCA Records LP-33626First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 254 331-1LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1986 | Germany | MCA Records MCG 6017First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | MCA Records 254 331-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | MCA Records 254 331-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1986 | Greece | MCA Records 254 331-1 / MCA Records 254331First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | MCA Records 254 331-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | MCA Records 254 331-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Guatemala | MCA Records 6188First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | US | MCA Records MCA-6188LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
53 vinyl pressings of Third Stage are listed here, from 30 countries, released between 1986 and 2013.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Europe, Guatemala and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-6188, released September 26, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-6188, MCG 6017, MCGP 6017, 254 331-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-5948-MD 13 MASTERDISK Emw and MCA-5949-MD10 11 MASTERDISK Emw. 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.
