Vinyl pressings
by Keel · 1986
The Final Frontier was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 8 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.
VERH33A / 1▽4 2 0TSide A runout, variant 1
VERH33B / 1▽4 2 0TSide B runout, variant 1
VERH33A // 1▽4 2 0T 11 1 JASide A runout, variant 2
VERH33B // 1▽4 2 0T 11 1Side B runout, variant 2
MCA - 5271 - SS GVariant 1 - side A runout
MCA - 5272 - SS GVariant 1 - side B runout
MCA - 5271 - SS 2 LIVE LONG AND PROSPER STERLINGVariant 2 - side A runout
MCA - 5272 - SS 1 STERLINGVariant 2 - side B runout
MCA-5271-SS 6 JP ISSide A Etched
MCA-5272-SS 5 JP ISSide B Etched
STERLING ◈-P-◈Side A & B Stamped
MCA5271Side A Label
STERLINGSide 1 & 2, stamped
V 〄Ⓑ GM-28020-A 121 ✢ O KEEL-LP-JVC-A2 Live Long And ProsperSide 1
GM-28020-B 111 ✢ KEEL-LP-JVC-BSide 2
826 815-1 1 01 P 1186 200A-Side Runout etching
826 815-1 2 01 P 1186 200B-Side Runout etching
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Vertigo 826 815-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Brazil | Vertigo 826 815-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5727LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Europe | Vertigo 826 815-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Vertigo 826 815-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Germany | Vertigo 826 815-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Vertigo VERH 33 / Vertigo 826 815-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5727 / Gold Mountain MCA-5727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5727 / Gold Mountain MCA-5727First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5727 / Gold MountainLP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Japan | Gold Mountain VIL-28020First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | Gold Mountain VIL-28020First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | South Korea | High Stereo Light J. 189LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1989 | South Korea | Sung Eum Limited SEL-RP 1410LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of The Final Frontier are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1986 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Vertigo VERH 33.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use VERH 33, MCA-5727, VIL-28020, 826 815-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, VERH33A / 1▽4 2 0T and VERH33B / 1▽4 2 0T. 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.
