Vinyl pressings
by John Hiatt · 1980
Two Bit Monsters was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. 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 1980, 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 2248 CS2 JS•XTAL ◈-P-◈Side A runout etched, ◈-P-◈ stamped, var. 1
MCA 2249CS3 JS•XTAL ◈-P-◈Side B runout etched, ◈-P-◈ stamped, var. 1
MCA 2248 CS1 JS•XTAL ◈-P-◈ ̷⧈̷-̷G̷-̷⧈̷Side A runout etched, ̷⧈̷-̷G̷-̷⧈̷ stamped, var. 2
MCA 2249 CS1 JS•XTAL ◈-P-◈ ̷⧈̷-̷G̷-̷⧈̷Side B runout etched, ̷⧈̷-̷G̷-̷⧈̷ stamped, var. 2
MCA 2248 CS1 JS•XTAL ⧈-G-⧈Runout etching side A (except for "⧈-G-⧈")
MCA 2249 CS1 JS•XTAL ⧈-G-⧈Runout etching side B (except for "⧈-G-⧈")
MCA2248Label side A
MCA2249Label side B
MCA 2248 CS1 JS•XTAL MCA-5123 ARun-out Etching Side A Variant 1
MCA 2249 CS1 JS•XTAL MCA-5123 BRun-out Etching Side B Variant 1
MCA 2248 CS1 JS•XTAL MCA-5123-A ⧈-G-⧈Run-out Etching Side A Variant 2
MCA 2249 CS1 JS•XTAL ⧈-G-⧈ MCA-5123-BRun-out Etching Side B Variant 2
MCA2248Label Side A
MCA2249Label Side B
MPO MCA 202489 ARunout side A, etched
MPO MCA 202489 BRunout side B, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-5123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | MCA Records 202 489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | MCA Records 202 489First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4107First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1980 | Netherlands | MCA Records 202 489First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Netherlands | MCA Records 202 489 / MCA Records MCA-5123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Norway | MCA Records MCA-5123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-5123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-5123First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 251 326-1 / MCA Records 6123LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | MCA Records 251 326-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA 5123LP, White Label | LP, White Label |
13 vinyl pressings of Two Bit Monsters are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5123.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5123, 202 489, MCA 4107) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 2248 CS2 JS•XTAL ◈-P-◈ and MCA 2249CS3 JS•XTAL ◈-P-◈. 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.
