Vinyl pressings
by George Thorogood & The Destroyers · 1979
Better Than The Rest was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. 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 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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 1741 W1 回-G-回A side runout, variant 1
MCA 1742 W1 回-G-回B side runout, variant 1
MCA 1741 W1 回-G-回 1A side runout, variant 2
MCA 1742 W1 回-G-回 2B side runout, variant 2
S-7128 MCA 1741 W3Runout, side A, etched
S-7129 X MCA 1742 W4Runout, side B, etched
MCA1741Label, side A
MCA1742Label, side B
MCA 1741 W2 ◈-P-◈Side A runout etched exc. ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA 1742 W2 ◈-P-◈Side B runout etched exc. ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA1741Side A label
MCA1742Side B label
MCF 3037 A1Side A etched
MCF 3037 B1Side B etched
MCA 1741 WI 3091-A 2 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 1742 WI MCA-3091=B 4 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 1741 WI 3091-A 2 ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 1742 WI - 3091-B 3 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 2
BLY 511019 ASide A Stamped
BLY 511019 BSide B Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | MCA Records 511019First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.136 / MCA Records MCA-3091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCA 3091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | South Africa | MCA Records ML 4334First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3037First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-3091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA 3091LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA–3091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-3091First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA -27085LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA -3091LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA -3091LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA -27085LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records 27085-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MCA 3091LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | France | MCA Records 201280LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1623LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1623LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1623LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-27085LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of Better Than The Rest are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA–3091, released September 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA–3091, MCA-3091, MCF 3037, 511019) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1741 W1 回-G-回 and MCA 1742 W1 回-G-回. 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.
