Vinyl pressings
by Roger Daltrey · 1982
Best Bits was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
MCA2919A Side Label
MCA2920B Side Label
MCA-2919-MD-3 MASTERDISK RL ◈-P-◈A Side Etch, except Masterdisk, Pinckneyville stamps
MCA-2920-MD-3 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈B Side Etch, except Masterdisk, Pinckneyville stamps
MD-2919-MD-2 MASTERDISK RLEtched Side A
MCA-2910-MD-1 MASTERDISKEtched Side B
MCA2919A Side Label
MCA2920B Side Label
MCA-2919-MD-1 MASTERDISK RL ◈-P-◈A Side Etch, except Masterdisk, Pinckneyville stamps
MCA-2920-MD-1 MASTERDISK ◈-P-◈B Side Etch, except Masterdisk, Pinckneyville stamps
A MX205439-B 2480641-1Side One Etched
A MX20544(8 crossed out)0 2480641-2Side Two Etched
MX205439Side One Label
MX205440Side Two Label
MD-2919-MD-2 MASTERDISK RL MCA-5301-A 回-G-回Side A runout
MD-2920-MD-1 MASTERDISK 回-G-回 MCA-5301-BSide B runout
MCA2919Side A label
MCA2920Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | Polydor 2480 641First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5301First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | France | Polydor 2480641First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Hong Kong | Polydor 2480 641First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Italy | Polydor 2480 641First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | New Zealand | Polydor 2480 641First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2480 641First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | Spain | Polydor 24 80 641First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA-5301First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA-5301First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA-5301First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
11 vinyl pressings of Best Bits are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, Australia, Canada, France and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5301, released March 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5301, 2480 641, 2480641, 24 80 641) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA2919 and MCA2920. 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.
