Vinyl pressings
by Iron City Houserockers · 1979
Love's So Tough 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.
8 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 6 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-1774-MD3 (Etched) ◈-P-◈ (Stamped)Side 1 Runout (variant 1)
MCA-1775-MD2 (Etched) ◈-P-◈ (Stamped)Side 2 Runout (variant 1)
MCA-1774-MD3 (Etched) "MASTERDISK" ◈-P-◈ (Stamped)Side 1 Runout (variant 2)
MCA-1775-MD3 (Etched) ◈-P-◈ (Stamped)Side 2 Runout (variant 2)
MCA-1774-MD1 ▣-G-▣Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-1775-MD1 ▣-G-▣Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-1774-MD3 ▣-G-▣Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-1775-MD2 ▣-G-▣Side B runout, variant 2
L33-1813 ASide A runout
L33-1813 BSide B runout
MCF-3031 A-1Runout side A, etched
MCF-3031 B-1Runout side B, etched
MC-3099-A-2 MASTERDISK BKSide A Etched (Variant 1)
MC-3099-B-2 MASTERDISK BKSide B Etched (Variant 1|)
MCA-1774-MD1 MCA-3099-BA [B scratched out] ▣-G-▣Side A Etched (Variant 2)
MC-3099-B-2 MASTERDISK BKSide B Etched (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 3099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Denmark | MCA Records MCA-3099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | MCA Records 201 282First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3031First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-3099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-3099First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-3099LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA L33-1813First yearLP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA 84187", Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc | 7", Picture Disc, Promo · Promo, Picture disc |
10 vinyl pressings of Love's So Tough are listed here, from 6 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-3099.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-3099, MCA L33-1813, MCF 3031, MCA 3099) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-1774-MD3 (Etched) ◈-P-◈ (Stamped) and MCA-1775-MD2 (Etched) ◈-P-◈ (Stamped). 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.
