Vinyl pressings
by Night Ranger · 1987
Big Life was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. 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 1987, 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.
MCA-5989-MD-1 EDP MI Sf2 SM4 MASTERDISKSide A etched, variant 1
MCA-598̶̷ 90-MD-1 EDP MI SF1 SM1Side B etched, variant 1
MCA-5989-MD-1 EDP MI Sf2 SM2 MASTERDISKSide A etched, variant 2
MCA-598̶̷ 90-MD-1 EDP MI Sf3 SM1Side B etched, variant 2
MCA-5989-MD-1 EDP M1 SF3SM5 MASTERDISKSide A Runout, variant 1
MCA-598̶90-MD-1 EDP M1 SF2SM1Side B Runout, variant 1
MCA-5989-MD-1 EDP M1 SF2SM2 MASTERDISKSide A Runout, variant 2
MCA-598̶90 MD1 EDP M1 SF3SM8Side B Runout, variant 2
R160635A 1 A2 ESide 1
R160635B 1 A1 DSide 2
MCF-3362-A1 MT. POUNDA TA1PESide A runout, etched
MCF-3362-B1 MT.Side B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Australia | MCA Records 5839-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Canada | MCA Records, Inc. MCA-5839LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | Europe | MCA Records 254 674-1First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1987 | Europe | MCA Records 254 674-1 / MCA Records MCA-5839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Mexico | MCA Records LCA-6598 / Camel Records Inc. LCA-6598First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | South Korea | MCA Records MCA-5839 / Oasis Records OLM-3075First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Spain | MCA Records 254674-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3362 / MCA Records MCA 5839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-5839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-5839First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-5839LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-5839First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1987 | US | MCA Records MCA-5839First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Japan | MCA Records P-13443 / Camel P-13443First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
16 vinyl pressings of Big Life are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5839.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5839, MCF 3362, P-13443, 5839-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-5989-MD-1 EDP MI Sf2 SM4 MASTERDISK and MCA-598̶̷ 90-MD-1 EDP MI SF1 SM1. 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.
