Vinyl pressings
by Meco Monardo · 1977
Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 22 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.
MN-604-AS-TH-4 J.G. TIIIIII MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 1
T MN-604-BS-TH-3Runout side B, variant 1
T/ MN-604-AS-TH-2 J.G. MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 2
T/ MN-604-BS-TH-2 J.G.Runout side B, variant 2
MN-604-AS-CP-I J.G. MASTERDISKRunout side-A
J.G MASTERDISK MN604-BS-CP-1Runout side-B
MN 604 ASLabel matrix side-A
MN 604 BSLabel matrix side-B
P MN-604-A X MASTERDISK J.G.Etched Side A Runout, except MASTERDISK stamped
P MN-604-B XEtched Side B Runout
MN 604 ASSide A Label
MN 604 BSSide B Label
MN-604-AS-SM-1 [MASTERDISK] J.G. S1A-Side Runout Etching [Stamped] Variant 1
MN-604-BS-SM-1 J.G. S11B-Side Runout Etching Variant 1
MN-604-AS-SM-2 [MASTERDISK] J.G. SSSSA-Side Runout Etching [Stamped] Variant 2
MN-604-BS-SM-1 J.G. S11B-Side Runout Etching Variant 2
MN-604-A-PRC-R-1-1-1 PRC 6 [STERLING]Side A Runout, etched [stamped]
MN-604-B-PRC-R-1-1-1 PRC 4 [STERLING]Side B Runout, etched [stamped]
MN 604 ASSide A Label
MN 604 BSSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | RCA Victor 102975First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | RCA XB-01028 / Victor XB-01028First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Brazil | RCA Victor 101.8078First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Millennium MN 604XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Millennium MN 604XFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Chile | RCA Victor MN-604First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Colombia | RCA Victor 05(4011)52023First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | El Salvador | RCA CA-10156 / RCA XB-010228First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | France | RCA Victor XB 1028 / RCA Victor XB1028First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | France | RCA Victor XB1028First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1977 | Germany | RCA Victor XB 1028 / RCA XB 1028First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Ireland | RCA Victor XB 1028First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | RCA Victor XB 1028First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA SS-3108First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Japan | RCA SS-3108First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Quality QGT 304X7", Single, Reissue | 7", Single, Reissue |
| ? | Philippines | RCA Victor XB-010287", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| ? | US | M&M Records MN 6047", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| ? | US | Millennium MN 6047", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
46 vinyl pressings of Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1977 and 1979.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Italy, Australia and more. One of them is Millennium MN 604, released July 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MN 604, MND 20604, MN 604 DJ, XB 1028) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MN-604-AS-TH-4 J.G. TIIIIII MASTERDISK and T MN-604-BS-TH-3. 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.
