Vinyl pressings
by Don Williams · 1984
The Best Of Don Williams, Volume III was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 4 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.
[⧈-G-⧈] MCA-3757-MI-2 [Masterfonics]Runout, Side A, Etched, Brackets Stamped
[⧈-G-⧈] MCA-3758-MI-1 [Masterfonics]Runout, Side B, Etched, Brackets Stamped
MCA3757Label, Side A, Matrix
MCA3758Label, Side B, Matrix
MCA3757Label, Side A, Matrix
MCA3758Label, Side B, Matrix
MCA-3757 GIC 11 G (J-MP)Side 1, etched
MCA-3758 GID G (J-AD)Side 2, etched
Side 2 [*Etched] MCA-3758 -MI-3 [*Stamped] Masterfonics and *P*
Side 1 [*Etched] MCA 3757 -MI-4 [*Stamped] Masterfonics, and *P*
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 5465-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5465First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 5465LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | UK | MCA Records MCF-3208First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-5465First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-5465First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA 5465 / MCA Records MCA-5465LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-5465First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-5465 / MCA Records 1442First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-1442 / MCA Records MCA-5465LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA 5465LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
11 vinyl pressings of The Best Of Don Williams, Volume III are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Canada. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5465.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5465, MCF-3208, 5465-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, [⧈-G-⧈] MCA-3757-MI-2 [Masterfonics] and [⧈-G-⧈] MCA-3758-MI-1 [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.
