Vinyl pressings
by Glenn Frey · 1985
Smuggler's Blues was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 10 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.
R/S Alsdorf 259020-7 ARunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 259020-7 BRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 259020-7 A D 6Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 259020-7 B 16Runout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf ̶2̶5̶8̶8̶6̶7̶-̶7̶ ̶B̶ 258412-7-ARunout A-side
R / S Alsdorf ̶2̶5̶8̶8̶6̶7̶-̶7̶ ̶A̶ 258412-7-BRunout B-side
MC 16852E ML-3 ◈-P-◈ TML-MA side runout
MC 15684 ML-3 ◈-P-◈ TML-MB side runout
MC16852EA side label
MC15684A side label
RESL•170•A•1 2 *MT* DAMONTSide A runout etched - variant 1
RESL•170•B•1 2 *MT* DAMONTSide B runout etched - variant 1
RESL•170•A•1 1 *MT* DAMONTSide A runout etched - variant 2
RESL•170•B•1 1 *MT* DAMONTSide B runout etched - variant 2
12 RSL 170 A1 NOEL. DAMONTA-side Runout
12 RSL 170 B1 DAMONTB-side Runout
MC 16862E MC2 ⧈-G-⧈ TMLA side runout variant 1
MC 15684 MC2 ⧈-G-⧈ TML XB side runout variant 1
MC 16852E MC-2 ⧈-G-⧈ TML-S 4A side runout variant 2
MC 15684 MC-2 2 TML-X ⧈-G-⧈B side runout variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | MCA Records 7-52546First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52546First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52546First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | MCA Records 259 020-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | MCA Records 258 412-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Germany | MCA Records 258 418-0First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 992First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Jamaica | MCA Records MCA 52546First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | New Zealand | MCA Records 752546First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Peru | MCA Records 0052546.8First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | BBC Records 12 RSL 170 / BBC Records And Tapes 12 RSL 170First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52546First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records L33-1281First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52546First year7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo | 7", Promo, 45 RPM · Promo |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-52546First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
17 vinyl pressings of Smuggler's Blues are listed here, from 10 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in Europe, US, UK, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records 259 020-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 259 020-7, 258 412-7, MCA-52546, RESL 170) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 259020-7 A and R/S Alsdorf 259020-7 B. 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.
