Vinyl pressings
by Lynyrd Skynyrd · 1976
Free Bird was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 3 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.
MCAT 251 A1Runout side A variant 1
MCAT 251 B1Runout side B variant 1
MCAT 251 A1 3 DRunout side A variant 2
MCAT 251 B1 11 ∴Runout side B variant 2
MCA 251 A-1 BLAIRLabel Side A,stamped,etched, variant 1
MCA 251 B-1 BLAIR'SLabel Side B,stamped,etched,variant 1
MCA 251 A-1 1 RD BLAIRLabel Side A,stamped,etched, variant 2
MCA 251 B-1 1 GR BLAIR'SLabel Side B,stamped,etched,variant 2
MCA 251 A-1 BLAIRLabel Side A,stamped,etched, variant 1
MCA 251 B-1 BLAIR'SLabel Side B,stamped,etched,variant 1
MCAT 251 A1 MT.1Runout Side A Hand Etched
MCAT 251 B1 MT.2Runout Side B Hand Etched
MCAT 251ALabel Side A
MCAT 251BLabel Side B
6, 11963-01-1 S Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A
6, 11963-01-2 S-II Manufactured in GermanyRunout side B
6.11 963-01-1Label side A
6.11 963-01-2Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Germany | MCA Records 6. 11 963 AC / MCA Records MCA 251First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 006 98373 / MCA Records 5C 006 98 373First year7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 251First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | MCA Records MCA 251First year7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1976 | UK | MCA Records MCA 251First year7", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | MCA Records MCA 251First year7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 7", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1976 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 251First year12" | 12" |
| 1979 | UK | MCA Records MCA 2517", Single | 7", Single |
| 1979 | UK | MCA Records MCA 2517", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1979 | UK | MCA Records MCA 2517", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 101 7157", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
| 1982 | Ireland | MCA Records MCA 2517", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Ireland | MCA Records MCAT 25112" | 12" |
| 1982 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 25112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | MCA Records MCA 2517", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| 1982 | UK | MCA Records MCATP 25112", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Picture Disc · Picture disc |
| 1982 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 25112", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 25112", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 25112", Reissue | 12", Reissue |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCA 2517", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCA 2517", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCA 2517", 45 RPM, Compilation, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCA 2517", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Reissue · Promo |
23 vinyl pressings of Free Bird are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1976 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, Germany, Netherlands. One of them is MCA Records MCAT 251.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCAT 251, MCA 251, 6. 11 963 AC, 5C 006 98373) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCAT 251 A1 and MCAT 251 B1. 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.
