Vinyl pressings
by Nik Kershaw · 1986
Radio Musicola 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.
15 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 12 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.
MCG 6016 A / 5 ▽ 420T 1 1 1 (Hand etched): BilBo.Tape OneSide A Stamped
MCG 6016 B / 3 ▽ 420H 1 1 1 M̶̷ ̶̷C̶̷ ̶̷G̶̷ ̶̷ ̶̷G̶̷ ̶̷O̶̷ (Hand etched): TOWNHOUSESide B Stamped
MCG 6016 A // 6 ▽ 420 HSide A runout
MCG 6016 B // 4 ▽ 420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout
MCG 6016-ASide A label
MCG 6016-BSide B label
R/S Alsdorf 254349-1-A 1 KRunout side A, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 254349-1-B2 DK KRunout side B, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 254349-1-A2 36 KRunout side A, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 254349-1-B JC 2Runout side B, variant 2
∆ MX 212485 | 6016-1 S1Side A
∆ MX 212486 | 6016-1 S2Side 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 | Australia | MCA Records 6016-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5930First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | MCA Records 254349-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Greece | MCA Records 254349-1First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1986 | Israel | MCA Records BAN 254394 1 / MCA Records BAN 254349-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Italy | MCA Records 25 4349-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | MCA Records 6016-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Portugal | MCA Records 1591081First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCA 6016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | MCA Records 254 349-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6016First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Zimbabwe | MCA Records LCMA 6016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 254 349-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCG 6016 / MCA Records MCG 6016 ALFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Radio Musicola are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCG 6016, released October 24, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCG 6016, 254 349-1, 6016-1, MCA-5930) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCG 6016 A / 5 ▽ 420T 1 1 1 (Hand etched): BilBo.Tape One and MCG 6016 B / 3 ▽ 420H 1 1 1 M̶̷ ̶̷C̶̷ ̶̷G̶̷ ̶̷ ̶̷G̶̷ ̶̷O̶̷ (Hand etched): TOWNHOUSE. 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.
