Vinyl pressings
by Steve Earle · 1988
Copperhead Road was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, the album's first year, in 4 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 1280 A-2U-1- 1 STURunout stamped [STU etched] side A
MCA 1280 B-1U-1- 1Runout stamped side B
MCA 1280 ALabel side A
MCA 1280 BLabel side B
MCA 1280 A-2U-1- 1 STURunout stamped [STU etched] side A
MCA 1280 B-1U-1- 1Runout stamped side B
MCA 1280ALabel side A
MCA 1280BLabel side B
MCA 1280 A-2U-1- 1 STURunout stamped [STU etched] side A
MCA 1280 B-1U-1- 1Runout stamped side B
UNI-8304-MD-4A-Side Runout Etching
MASTERDISKA-Side Runout Stamp
UNI-8351-MD-3B-Side Runout Etching
◈-P-◈Runout Stamp Each Side
UNI-8304-MD-1 ⧈-G-⧈ 1 MASTERDISKSide A runout
UNI-8351-MD-1 ⧈-G-⧈ 1Side B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | MCA Records 7.15462First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | MCA Records 257 795-7 / MCA Records 6.15 170 LAFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | MCA Records 257 794-0First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 1280First year12" | 12" |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records L33-10002First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | UNI Records L33-10002First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1280First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1988 | UK | MCA Records WMCA 1280First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | Australia | MCA Records 7-15462First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Copperhead Road are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK, US, Australia, Europe. One of them is MCA Records MCA 1280, released October 3, 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA 1280, MCAT 1280, WMCA 1280, L33-10002) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 1280 A-2U-1- 1 STU and MCA 1280 B-1U-1- 1. 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.
