Vinyl pressings
by Ronnie Milsap · 1980
Smoky Mountain Rain was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 6 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.
PB-12084-A 2 MR denny / woodland △ 107067Run-out Etching Side A
PB-12084-B 1 MR + woodland △ 107067XRun-out Etching Side B
PB-12084-ALabel Side A
PB-12084-BLabel Side B
PB-12084-A 5 denny / woodward I A2Run-out Etching Side A except I A2 is stamped
PB-12084-B 3 woodward I A3Run-out Etching Side B except I A3 is stamped
PB-12084-ALabel Side A
PB-12084-BLabel Side B
98518 PB-12084-A 7 denny / woodward I A2Run-out Etching Side A (98518 Reversed)
PB-12084-B A7 woodward 98519Run-out Etching Side B (98519 Reversed)
PB-12084-ALabel Side A
PB-12084-BLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | RCA Victor 103744First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Canada | RCA PB-12084First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | Germany | RCA Victor PB 2084 / RCA PB 2084First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103744First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1980 | UK | RCA RCA 41 / RCA PB 2084First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1980 | US | RCA PB-12084First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | RCA JH-12084First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | US | RCA PB-12084First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1980 | US | RCA PB-12084First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | RCA JH-12084 / RCA PB-12084First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono, Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | Mexico | RCA Victor SP - 55767", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA PB-20847", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
12 vinyl pressings of Smoky Mountain Rain are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1980 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is RCA PB-12084.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PB-12084, JH-12084, RCA 41, 103744) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PB-12084-A 2 MR denny / woodland △ 107067 and PB-12084-B 1 MR + woodland △ 107067X. 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.
