Vinyl pressings
by Larry Carlton · 1986
Alone/But Never Alone 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 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.
R/S Alsdorf 252905-1 ARunout A, Stamped variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 252905-1 BRunout B, Stamped variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 252905-1 ARunout A, Stamped variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 252905-1 B BЄRunout B, Stamped variant 2 - BЄ hand etched
MCA-5120-BG2 KM13639A Side runout, variant 1
MCA-5121-BG2 KM13639B Side runout, variant 1
MCA-5120-BG1 KM13639A Side runout, variant 2
MCA-5121-BG1 KM13639B Side runout, variant 2
MCA-5120-BG1 KM13639Runout Side 1
MCA-5121-BG1 KM13639Runout Side 2
MCA5120Label Side 1
MCA-5121Label Side 2
R/S Alsdorf 252905-1 ARunout A, Stamped
MX212171 5689-1 S1Runout A, Etched
MX212172 5689-1 S2Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Argentina | MCA Records 252 905-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1986 | Argentina | WEA 89133First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Australia | MCA Records 5689-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Brazil | MCA Records 604.7221 / MCA Records 27.055First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5689First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5689First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 252 905-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13270First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Japan | MCA Records P-13270First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5689First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5689LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5689First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Korea | MCA Records OLM 3066 (MCA 5689)LP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Alone/But Never Alone are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in Europe, US, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records 252 905-1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 252 905-1, MCA-5689, 89133, 5689-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R/S Alsdorf 252905-1 A and R/S Alsdorf 252905-1 B. 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.
