Vinyl pressings
by Spyro Gyra · 1984
Access All Areas was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 8 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-3950-MD1 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM1 I EDPSide A runout, variant 1
MCA-3951-MD2 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM1 I EDPSide B runout, variant 1
MCA-3952-MD2 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM1 I EDPSide C runout, variant 1
MCA-3953-MD2 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM2 I EDPSide D runout, variant 1
MCA-3950-MD2 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM1 [EDP logo]Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-3951-MD2 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM3 [EDP logo]Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-3952-MD2 MASTERDISK RL M1 [EDP logo]Side C runout, variant 1
MCA-3953-MD1 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM1 [EDP logo]Side D runout, variant 1
MCA-3950-MD1 MCA 2-6893 R1-SIDE 1 MASTERDISK RL (EDP) M1S+1SM5 CRRunout side A
MCA-3951-MD2 MCA 6893 R1-SIDE 2 MASTERDISK RL M1S+1SM5 CR (EDP)Runout side B
MCA-3952-MD1 MCA-6893 R2-SIDE 1 MASTERDISK RL M1S+1SM5 CR (EDP)Runout side C
MCA-3953-MD1 MCA-6893 R2-SIDE 2 MASTERDISK RL M1S+1SM5 CR (EDP)Runout side D
R / S Alsdorf 251215-1 A PF 41Variant 1: Runout side A
R / S Alsdorf 251215-1 B PF FVariant 1: Runout side B
R / S Alsdorf 251215-1 CX PF 40Variant 1: Runout side C
R / S Alsdorf 251215-1 D PF 49Variant 1: Runout side D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 6893-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA2-6893First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 251 215-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 251 215-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Germany | MCA Records 251 215-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-9512~3First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-9512~3First yearLP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records P-5636~7First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Spain | MCA Records LD 251215-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | MCA Records MCSP 310First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA2-6893First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA2-6893 / MCA Records MCA 2-6893LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA2-6893First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
13 vinyl pressings of Access All Areas are listed here, from 8 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA2-6893.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA2-6893, MCSP 310, 6893-1, 251 215-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-3950-MD1 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM1 I EDP and MCA-3951-MD2 MASTERDISK RL M1 SF1 SM1 I EDP. 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.
