Vinyl pressings
by Mixmaster Gee And The Turntable Orchestra · 1986
The Manipulator was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year. 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-5528 FDS-4 FUTURE DISCRunout side A, etched
MCA-5529 FDS-3Runout side B, etched
◈-P-◈Runout both sides, stamped
(MCA5528)Label side A
MCA 6046 FDS-1 FUTURE DISC ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, etched
MCA 6047 FDS-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, etched
MCA 6046Label side A
MCA 6047Label side B
回-G-回 MC 20593EE FDS-2 FUTURE DISCA-Side Runout Etching
回-G-回 MC 20594E FDS-2B-Side Runout Etching
MC 20593EEA-Side Label
MC 20594EB-Side Label
MCA-5528 FDS-4 FUTURE DISC ◈-P-◈Runout etched side A (◈-P-◈ stamp)
MCA 5529 FDS-4 ◈-P-◈Runout etched side B (◈-P-◈ stamp)
(MCA5528)Label side A
(MCA5529)Label side B
MCA 5528 FDS-2 FUTURE DISC ⧈-G-⧈ 1Runout side A, etched
MCA 5529 FDS-1 ⧈-G-⧈ 2Runout side B, etched
MCA 5528Label side A
MCA 5529Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-23631First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-52838First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-52838First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-23631First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-52838First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-23631First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-23631First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-52838First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-528387", 45 RPM, Promo, Repress, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Repress, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-23631First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of The Manipulator are listed here, from 1 country.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US. One of them is MCA Records MCA-23631.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-23631, MCA-52838) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-5528 FDS-4 FUTURE DISC and MCA-5529 FDS-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.
