Vinyl pressings
by Lynyrd Skynyrd · 1975
Saturday Night Special was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 9 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.
MC4072W2 ◈-P-◈111Side A etched exc. ◈-P-◈ stamp
MC3756W2 ◈-P-◈111Side B etched exc. ◈-P-◈ stamp
MC4072Side A label
MC3756Side B label
MCA 4072Side A Label
MCA 3756Side B Label
MC 4072 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout, side A
MC 3756 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout, side B
MC 4072A side label
MC 3756B side label
MC4072 W2 ◈-P-◈ vRunout Stereo Side
mono MC4072M W2 ◈-P-◈Runout Mono Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-1444First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 40416First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Chile | MCA Records MCA-40416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Germany | MCA Records 6.11665 (AC)First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | MCA Records D-1283First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | MCA Records D-1283First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1975 | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 006-96695First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1975 | New Zealand | MCA Records MCS 7997First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1975 | UK | MCA Records MCA 199First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-40416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-40416First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | US | MCA Records MCA-40416First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | US | MCA RecordsFirst year10", 45 RPM, Stereo | 10", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | MCA Records MCA 199First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
14 vinyl pressings of Saturday Night Special are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-40416, released May 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-40416, MCA 199, MCA-1444, MCA 40416) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MC4072W2 ◈-P-◈111 and MC3756W2 ◈-P-◈111. 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.
