Vinyl pressings
by Lyle Lovett · 1987
Pontiac was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
5 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 4 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-6969-MI-2 Masterfonics 回-G-回Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-6970-MI-1 Masterfonics 回-G-回Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-6969-MI-2 Masterfonics 回-G-回Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-6970-MI-2 Masterfonics 回-G-回Side B runout, variant 2
◈-P-◈Stamped in runouts
MCA-6969-MI-3 111 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 1
MCA-6970-MI-4 11 ◈-P-◈ MasterfonicsRunout side B, variant 1
MCA-6969-MI-4 11 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout side A, variant 2
MCF-3389-A1 MT. 1Side A runout
MCF-3389-B1 MT. 1Side B runout
MCF 3389 ASide A label
MCF 3389 BSide B label
MCA-6969-MI-2 MCA 42028 A Masterphonics ⧈-G-⧈Side 1 runout
MCA-6970-MI-2 MCA 42028 B ⧈-G-⧈Side 2 runout
MCA-6969Side 1 label
MCA-6970Side 2 label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Curb Records MCA-42028 / MCA Records MCA-42028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | Curb Records MCA-42028 / MCA Records MCA-42028LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | South Africa | Curb Records RPM 1246First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Sweden | Curb Records MCA-42028 / MCA Records MCA-42028LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3389 / MCA Records MCA 42028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Curb Records MCA-42028First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | Curb Records MCA-42028 / MCA Records MCA-42028First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | Curb Records MCA-42028 / MCA Records MCA-42028LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | BMG/RCA Studios R-153258 / MCA Records MCA-42028LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1988 | Europe | Curb Records ZL 71691 / RCA ZL 71691LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | Curb Records 209 497LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Scandinavia | Curb Records SLP-3135LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3389LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Curb Records MCA-42028LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | Curb Records MCA-42028 / MCA Records MCA-42028LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Pontiac are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Canada, South Africa. One of them is Curb Records MCA-42028.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-42028, MCF 3389, RPM 1246) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-6969-MI-2 Masterfonics 回-G-回 and MCA-6970-MI-1 Masterfonics 回-G-回. 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.
