Vinyl pressings
by Harold Faltermeyer · 1984
Axel F 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.
38 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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 259074-7 AXX D 8Runout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 259074-7 B GFRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 259074-7 A 4 N N „[symbol]" [N „[symbol]" erased]Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 2̶5̶9̶1̶5̶8̶-̶7̶ B 259074-7 B 3Runout side B, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 258989-0 A 2Runout side A variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 258989-0 B2 BERunout side B variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 258989-0 A 15Runout side A variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 258989-0 BX DK B̶E̶Runout side B variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 259140-0 ARunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 259140-0 BXDRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 259140-0 A 37Runout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 259140-0 B D 45Runout side B, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 259074-7 A D 12Runout side A, stamped [etched "D 12"]
R/S Alsdorf ̶2̶5̶9̶1̶5̶8̶-̶7̶ B 259074-7 B 18Runout side B, stamped [etched "18"]
R/S Alsdorf 259074-7 A D 12Side A - variant 2
R/S Alsdorf ̶2̶5̶9̶1̶5̶8̶-̶7̶ B 259074-7 B 21Side B - variant 2
MCAT 949 A1 JARunout Side A [Etched]
MCAT 949 B1Runout Side B [Etched]
MCAT 949 A*Label Side A
MCAT 949 B*Label Side B
MCAX 949 A3 JA ⋀Side A runout variant 1
MCAX 949 B4 DSide B runout variant 1
MCAX 949 A1 JA 7Side A runout variant 2
MCAX 949 B1 JA OSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52536First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52536First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 259 074-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 258 989-0 / MCA Records MCAX 949First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 259 140-0 / MCA Records MCAT 949First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 259 074-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 25 8989-0First year12", 45 RPM, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 259074-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 25 8989-0First year12", 45 RPM, Misprint | 12", 45 RPM, Misprint |
| 1984 | Greece | MCA Records 258989-0 / PolyGram 258989-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Greece | MCA Records 258989-0 / PolyGram 258989-0First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
| 1984 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 949First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 259 074-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 259074 - 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records P-1969First year7" | 7" |
49 vinyl pressings of Axel F are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1984 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in Europe, UK, US, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records 259 074-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 259 074-7, 258 989-0, 259 140-0, MCAT 949) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 259074-7 AXX D 8 and R/S Alsdorf 259074-7 B GF. 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.
