US
1988- Label and catalog number
- UNI Records UNI-8007
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
- Runout / matrix
UNI 8360 FW4 F/W ◈-P-◈ CSB ♪♪A-Side Runout Etching, ◈-P-◈ CSB ♪♪ Stamped
UNI 8415 FW4 F/W ◈-P-◈ CSB ♪♪B-Side Runout Etching, ◈-P-◈ CSB ♪♪ Stamped
Vinyl pressings
Microphone Fiend
by Eric B. & Rakim · 1988
16 pressings5 countriesHip Hop
Microphone Fiend was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Microphone Fiend
15 pressings came out in 1988, 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.
US
1988- Label and catalog number
- UNI Records UNI-50005
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM
- Runout / matrix
MC 27069 E FW 2 F/W 回-C-回 C S B ♪ ♪Runout etched side A
MC 26163 FW 2 回-C-回 F/WRunout etched side B
MC 27069ELabel side A
MC 26163Label side B
US
1988- Label and catalog number
- UNI Records UNI-8007
- Format
- 12", 33 ⅓ RPM
- Runout / matrix
(?) CSB ♪♪ UNI 8360 FW2 F/WSide A
(?) CSB ♪♪ UNI 8415 FW1 F/WSide B
US
1988- Label and catalog number
- UNI Records UNI-50005
- Format
- 7", Single, 45 RPM · Pinckneyville Pressing
- Runout / matrix
MC27069ELabel side A
MC26163Label side B
MC 27069 E FW4 F/W CSB ♪ ♪ ◈-P-◈I
MC 26163 FW4 ◈-P-◈I
US
1988- Label and catalog number
- UNI Records UNI-50005
- Format
- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
MC27069E FW4 F/W CSB ♪♪ ◈-P-◈ 1Runout side A
MC27069E FW4 F/W CSB ♪♪ ◈-P-◈ 11Runout side B
MC27069ELabel both sides
US
1988- Label and catalog number
- UNI Records L33-10003
- Format
- 12", Promo
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 16 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s15 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | UNI Records UNI-8007First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | Germany | MCA Records 257 784-7First year7", 45 RPM, Mispress, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Mispress, Misprint |
| 1988 | Germany | MCA Records 257 783-0First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1300First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records WMCAT 1300First year12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Advance, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-8007First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-50005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records L33-10003First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-50005First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-8007First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records L33-10003First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-50005First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records UNI-50005First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1300First year7", 45 RPM, White Label | 7", 45 RPM, White Label |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 1300First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
Year unknown1 pressing
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | MCA Records MR-07212", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
Tracklist
- AMicrophone Fiend4:00
- BMicrophone Fiend (Long Version)5:15
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Microphone Fiend are there?
16 vinyl pressings of Microphone Fiend are listed here, from 5 countries.
When was Microphone Fiend first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Canada, Germany. One of them is UNI Records UNI-8007.
How do I tell if my copy of Microphone Fiend is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use UNI-8007, UNI-50005, L33-10003, MCA 1300) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, UNI 8360 FW4 F/W ◈-P-◈ CSB ♪♪ and UNI 8415 FW4 F/W ◈-P-◈ CSB ♪♪. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Microphone Fiend on vinyl worth?
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.
