Vinyl pressings
by J.J. Johnson · 1974
Willie Dynamite was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
MCA 390-W1 • ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, etched [⧈-G-⧈ stamped]
MCA 391-W1 • ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, etched [⧈-G-⧈ stamped]
MCA 390Label side A
MCA 391*Label side B
MCA 390-W2- ◈-P-◈Side A Runout
MCA 391-W2- ◈-P-◈Side B Runout
MCA390Side A Label
MCA391Side B Label
MAPS-7236-ASIDE 1
MAPS-7236-BSIDE 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 7236 STEREOFirst yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 393 / MCA Records MCA-393First yearLP | LP |
| 1974 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6030First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6030First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | MCA Records MCA-393First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | MCA Records MCA-393First yearLP | LP |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | US | Geffen Records 002263701LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On Label (J.J. Johnson)LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA 393LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA 393LP, Reissue | LP, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-393LP | LP |
11 vinyl pressings of Willie Dynamite are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1974 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Australia, Canada, Japan. One of them is MCA Records MCA-393.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-393, MAPS 7236 STEREO, MCA 393, MCA-6030) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 390-W1 • ⧈-G-⧈ and MCA 391-W1 • ⧈-G-⧈. 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.
