Vinyl pressings
by John Hiatt · 1979
Slug Line 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.
10 pressings came out in 1979, 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.
MCA 1733 AM1 ⧈-G-⧈A-side runout, etched [⧈-G-⧈ stamped]
MCA 1734 AM1 ⧈-G-⧈B-side runout, etched [⧈-G-⧈ stamped]
MCA 1733A-side label
MCA 1734*B-side label
MCA 1733 AM3•• ◈-P-◈ 1Runout side A - variant 1
MCA 1734 AM2 ◈-P-◈ 1Runout side B - variant 1
MCA 1733 AM3•• vvv ◈-P-◈ IRunout side A - variant 2
MCA 1734 AM3 ◈-P-◈ IIIIRunout side B - variant 2
MCA1733 AM3•• ◈-P-◈1Side A runout etched, variant 1
MCA1734 AM2 ◈-P-◈1Side B runout etched, variant 1
MCA 1733 AM2 ◈-P-◈1Side A runout etched, variant 2
MCA1734 AM2 ◈-P-◈1Side B runout etched, variant 2
MCF•3005-A1 V TY 8A-side runout, etched; "V" and "8" stamped
MCF•3005-B1 V 9 TYB-side runout, etched; "V" and "9" stamped
MCF.3005AA-side label
MCF.3005BB-side label
MCA- 3088A FH 3/7Side A runout
MCA- 3088B FH 3/7Side B runout
MCA 1733 AM 1 3088A ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A
MCA 1733 AM 1 3088B ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B
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 3088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | MCA Records 511 022First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | MCA Records 201 281First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.131First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 062-62960First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-3088First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-3088First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | MCA Records MCA-3088First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-748LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | MCA Records 201.281LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 251 327-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | MCA Records 251 327-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of Slug Line are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-3088.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-3088, MCF 3005, MCA 3088, 511 022) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1733 AM1 ⧈-G-⧈ and MCA 1734 AM1 ⧈-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.
