Vinyl pressings
by Spyro Gyra · 1985
Alternating Currents was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, the album's first year, in 11 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•4517•MD1 SFI SM3 MASTERDISK EDPRunout side A, variant 1
MCA•4518•MD1 MASTERDISK EDP M2 SFI SM•2Runout side B, variant 1
MCA-4517-MD1 M1SFISM3 MASTERDISK EDPRunout side A, variant 2
MCA-4518-MD1 MASTERDISK EDP M1Runout side B, variant 2
MCA 4517 MD3 (EDP) MASTERDISK M1 SF1 SM5A
MCA 4518 MD3 MASTERDISK M1 SF1 SM5B
MCA 4517 MD1 M1 SFI SM3 MASTERDISK (EDP)Runout A, Variant 1, etched; MASTERDISK (EDP) stamped
MCA 4518 MD1 MASTERDISK (EDP) M1 SFI SM2Runout B, Variant 1, etched; MASTERDISK (EDP) stamped
MCA 4517 MD1 M1 SFI SM2 MASTERDISK (EDP)Runout A, Variant 2, etched; MASTERDISK (EDP) stamped
MCA 4518 MD1 MASTERDISK (EDP) M2 SFI SM2Runout B, Variant 2, etched; MASTERDISK (EDP) stamped
[etched:] MCA•4517•MD3 M/SFI SM5 [stamped:] MASTERDISK [stamped with circle:] EDPVariant 1, A
[etched:] MCA•4518•MD3 M/Sfi SM4 [stamped:] MASTERDISKVariant 1, B
MCA 4517 MD3A
MCA 4518 MD3B
MCF3288A / / 1▽420W 11 1Runout side A, variant 1
MCF3288B / / 1▽420W 11 2Runout side B, variant 1
MCF3288A / / 1▽420W 11 2 PhilRunout side A, variant 2
MCF3288B / / 1▽420W 11 2 PhilRunout side B, variant 2
5606-1-one MX210513Side 1 Etched Runout
5606-1-two MX210514Side 2 Etched Runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | MCA Records 5606-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Brazil | MCA Records 604.7139 / MCA Records 229252270-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5606LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1985 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5606First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Germany | MCA Records 252 270-1 / MCA Records MCA-5606First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1985 | Italy | MCA Records 25 2270-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Japan | MCA Records P-13146 / Amherst Records P-13146First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | MCA Records P-13146 / Amherst Records P-13146First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Mexico | MCA Records LCA-6421First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCA 5606 / Amherst Records LMCA 5606First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | Spain | MCA Records L25 2270-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3288First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-5606First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA-5606First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1985 | US | MCA Records MCA 5606LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Brazil | MCA Records 604.7139 / MCA Records 229252270-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Alternating Currents are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1985 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5606.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5606, MCA-39323, MCF 3288, 5606-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA•4517•MD1 SFI SM3 MASTERDISK EDP and MCA•4518•MD1 MASTERDISK EDP M2 SFI SM•2. 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.
