Vinyl pressings
by Cactus World News · 1986
Urban Beaches 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.
12 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
MCG-6005-A STERLING MCG 6005 A//2∇(420 crossed out)130 1 1 1Run-out Side A
MCG-6005-B STERLING MCG 6005 B//1∇130 1 1 2Run-out Side B
MCG 6005-ALabel Side A
MCG 6005-BLabel Side B
MCG-6005-A STERLING MCG 6005 A//2∇(420 crossed out)130 1 1 1Run-out Side A
MCG-6005-B STERLING MCG 6005 B//1∇130 1 1 2Run-out Side B
MCG 6005-ALabel Side A
MCG 6005-BLabel Side B
MCA-5438-554 🞜-P-🞜 I STERLINGSide A, etched, stamped 🞜-P-🞜 STERLING
MCA-5439-553 🞜-P-🞜 I STERLINGSide B, etched, stamped 🞜-P-🞜 STERLING
MCA5438Label side A cat#
MCA5439Label side B cat#
MCA-5438-SS4 🞜-P-🞜 I STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
MCA-5439-SS4 🞜-P-🞜 III STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
MCA-5438-SS4 🞜-P-🞜 I STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
MCA-5439-SS3 🞜-P-🞜 I STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
MCA 5438 - SS3 STERLINGSide 1 runout (hand etched, 'STERLING' stamped)
MCA 5439 - SS3 STERLINGSide 2 runout (hand etched, 'STERLING' stamped)
MCA-5438-SS2 🞜-G-🞜 3 STERLINGRunout side A, etched exc. 🞜-P-🞜 STERLING, stamped
MCA-5439-SS2 🞜-G-🞜 I STERLINGRunout side B, etched exc. 🞜-P-🞜 STERLING, stamped
MCA 5438Side A label
MCA 5439Side 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 | Unknown | MCA Records MCA-5747First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | MCA Records 6005-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5747First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 253 026-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | MCA Records 253 026-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13324First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13324First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6005First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5747First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA 5747First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5747First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5747LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
13 vinyl pressings of Urban Beaches are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCG 6005.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCG 6005, MCA-5747, MCA 5747, 6005-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCG-6005-A STERLING MCG 6005 A//2∇(420 crossed out)130 1 1 1 and MCG-6005-B STERLING MCG 6005 B//1∇130 1 1 2. 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.
