Vinyl pressings
by The Robert Cray Band · 1986
Smoking Gun 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.
6 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
888-3437-2-58890-Long-SP 1-1A runout, etched
8̶8̶8̶-̶3̶2̶7̶-̶7̶-̶2̶-̶5̶8̶8̶-̶1̶8̶-̶S̶P̶ ̶1̶-̶2̶ 888-3437-2-58898-SP 1-2 [Specialty symbol]B runout, etched, except symbol
888 873 7 1 W 1 ℗ 1986 670 04Runout side A, variant 1
888 873 7 2 W 1 ℗ 1986 670 04Runout side B, variant 1
888 873 7 1W 2 ℗ 1986 670 04Runout side A, variant 2
888 873 7 2W 2 ℗ 1986 670 04Runout side 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 | Europe | Mercury 888 873-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Philippines | Mercury MER-24-805First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury CRAY 212First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | UK | Mercury CRAY 2First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 888 343-7 / Hightone Records 888 343-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | US | Mercury PRO 456-1First year12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | Mercury 7PP-2297", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Mercury DJ 917", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 888 343-7 / Hightone Records 888 343-77", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 888 343-77", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Mercury 888-34377", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
11 vinyl pressings of Smoking Gun are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1986 and 1988.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Europe, Philippines. One of them is Mercury 888 343-7.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 888 343-7, PRO 456-1, CRAY 212, CRAY 2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 888-3437-2-58890-Long-SP 1-1 and 8̶8̶8̶-̶3̶2̶7̶-̶7̶-̶2̶-̶5̶8̶8̶-̶1̶8̶-̶S̶P̶ ̶1̶-̶2̶ 888-3437-2-58898-SP 1-2 [Specialty symbol]. 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.
