Vinyl pressings
by Joe Sample · 1983
The Hunter was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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.
MCF 3164 A1 ⋀Side A runout etched variant 1
MCF 3164 B1 ⋀Side B runout etched variant 1
MCF 3164 A2 JA ⋀Side A runout variant 2
MCF 3164 B2 ⋀Side B runout variant 2
MCA 3277-AM4 V V V ◈-P-◈A-Side Runout, etched; ◈-P-◈ is stamped
MCA 3278-AM3 ◈-P-◈A-Side Runout, etched; ◈-P-◈ is stamped
(MCA3277)A-Side Label
(MCA3278)B-Side Label
MCA 3277-AM2 ⧈-G-⧈Side A, variant 1
MCA 3278-AM1 ⧈-G-⧈Side B, variant 1
MCA 3277-AM1 ⧈-G-⧈Side A, variant 2
MCA 3278-AM1 ⧈-G-⧈Side B, variant 2
(MCA3277)A-Side Label
(MCA3278)B-Side Label
P MCA 3277 - I A IA Side
P MCA 3278 - I A IB Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4177First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6299First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM- 6299First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records P-11507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Philippines | MCA Records MCA-5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5397 / MCA Records MCA-1471First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA 5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5397First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3164First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | MCA Records ML 4673First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of The Hunter are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in UK, US, South Africa, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 3164, released March 1983.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 3164, MCA-5397, MCA 5397, ML 4673) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF 3164 A1 ⋀ and MCF 3164 B1 ⋀. 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.
