Vinyl pressings
by Steve Earle · 1986
Guitar Town was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. 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 1986, the album's first year, in 5 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-5144 MI-8 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout A, variant 1
MCA-5145 MI-7 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout B, variant 1
MCA-5144 MI-6 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout A, variant 2
MCA-5145-MI-7 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout B, variant 2
MCA-5144-MI-6 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout A, var 1
MCA-5145-MI-7 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout B, var 1
MCA-5144 MI-5 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout A, var 2
MCA-5145 MI-6 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout B, var 2
Mastertronics MCA-5144 MI-5Variant 1; Side A
Mastertronics MCA-(4145 crossed out)-MI-6 5145Variant 1; Side B
Mastertronics MCA-5144 MI-2Variant 2; Side A
Mastertronics MCA-(4145 crossed out)-MI-5 5145Variant 2; Side B
MCA-5144-MI-5 2 ⧈-G-⧈ MasterfonicsSide A runout, variant 1
MCA-4̶1̶4̶5̶-MI-5 5145 Masterfonics 1 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-5144-MI-2 ⧈-G-⧈ 2 MasterfonicsSide A runout, variant 1
MCA-4̶1̶4̶5̶-MI-5 5145 Masterfonics ⧈-G-⧈ 1Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-5144 MI-8 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout A, variant 1
MCA-5145 MI-7 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout B, variant 1
MCA-5144 MI-6 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout A, variant 2
MCA-5145-MI-7 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Runout B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia & New Zealand | MCA Records 5713-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5713LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5713First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 253 000-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 253 000-1LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 253 000-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3335 / MCA Records MCA 5713First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3335 / MCA Records MCA 5713First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5713LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5713LP, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5713First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5713First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5713First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5713First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-5713First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | Music On Vinyl MOVLP332LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2016 | Europe | MCA Nashville 00602547704870LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Europe | MCA Nashville 00602547704870 / Universal Music Group International 00602547704870LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Nashville B0024412-01LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
20 vinyl pressings of Guitar Town are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1986 and 2026.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia & New Zealand, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5713, released March 5, 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5713, MCF 3335, 5713-1, 253 000-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-5144 MI-8 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈ and MCA-5145 MI-7 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈. 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.
