Vinyl pressings
by Man · 1976
The Welsh Connection 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.
13 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 11 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 978W2 ◈-P-◈ llSide A Runout - Variant 1
MCA 979W2 ◈-P-◈ llSide B Runout - Variant 1
MCA 978W2 ◈-P-◈ lSide A Runout - Variant 2
MCA 979W2 ◈-P-◈ lSide B Runout - Variant 2
MCA 978W1 ◈-G-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 979W3 ◈-G-◈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 978W1 ◈-G-◈ 1Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 979W3 1 ◈-G-◈Side B runout, variant 2
MCF 2753 A-3U A PORKY PRIME CUT T 1Side A runout, variant 1
MCF 2753 B-1U GR MASTERROOM 1Side B runout, variant 1
MCF 2753 A-3U A PORKY PRIME CUT P 1Side A runout, variant 2
MCF 2753 B-1U GR MASTERROOM 1Side B runout, variant 2
MCA-978Side A label in brackets
MCA-979Side B label in brackets
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 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS-8393 / MCA Records MAPS 8393First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Brazil | MCA Records 4-07-404-125First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | MCA Records 410 056First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | MCA Records MCA 2190 / MCA Records 6.22481 APFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records MAPS 8393First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6101First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | New Zealand | MCA Records MAPS 8393First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | MCA Records S-32.850First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Spain | MCA Records MAPS-8393 / MCA Records MAPS 8393First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | UK | MCA Records MCF 2753 / MCA Records 0C 062 ◦ 97548First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-2190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | MCA Records MCA-2190First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | MCA Records 62.006LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
14 vinyl pressings of The Welsh Connection are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-2190.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-2190, MCF 2753, MAPS-8393, 4-07-404-125) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 978W2 ◈-P-◈ ll and MCA 979W2 ◈-P-◈ ll. 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.
