Vinyl pressings
by Tony Carey · 1984
Some Tough City 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.
15 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 13 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-3752-SSI ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 1
MCA-3753-SSI ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGRunout side B, variant 1
MCA-3752-SS2 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGRunout side A, variant 2
MCA-3753-SS1 ⧈-G-⧈ STERLINGRunout side B, variant 2
◈-P-◈ MCA-3752-SS4 STERLINGSide 1 Etched STERLING Stamped Variant 1
◈-P-◈ MCA-3753-SS4 STERLINGSide 2 Etched STERLING Stamped Variant 1
◈-P-◈ MCA-3752-SS3 STERLINGSide 1 Etched STERLING Stamped Variant 2
◈-P-◈ MCA-3753-SS3 STERLINGSide 2 Etched STERLING Stamped Variant 2
MCF 3212 A1 JA (Etched)Side 1 runout
MCF 3212 B1 JA (Etched)Side 2 runout
MCA3752Label A
MCA3753Label B
83527 A
83527 B
MX208961Label side A
MX208962Label side B
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 | Argentina | MCA Records MCA-83527First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records 5464-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Brazil | MCA Records 250 618-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | MCA Records 127.005 Serie LuxoFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5464LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Ecuador | MCA Records LP-33609First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 250 618-1 / MCA Records MCA 5464First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 250 618-1 / MCA Records (MCA 5464)First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | New Zealand | MCA Records 54641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Scandinavia | MCA Records 250 618-1 / MCA Records MCA 5464First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Spain | MCA Records 250 618-1 / MCA Records MCA 5464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3212First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-5464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-5464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
17 vinyl pressings of Some Tough City are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, UK, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5464.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5464, MCF 3212, VIM-6327, MCA-83527) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-3752-SSI ⧈-G-⧈ STERLING and MCA-3753-SSI ⧈-G-⧈ STERLING. 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.
