Vinyl pressings
by Tygers Of Pan Tang · 1981
Spellbound was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1981, 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.
MCF-3104-A3 TOWNHOUSE ∴ FISHTY FUD IZIT 8Runout Side A (Etched/Stamped)
MCF-3104-B-1 ∴ TOWNHOUSE 3Runout Side B (Etched/Stamped)
MCF-3104-A2 TOWNHOUSE FISHTY FUD IZIT 7Side A, variant 1
MCF-3104-B1 TOWNHOUSESide B, variant 1
(MCS2653)Label A
(MCA2654)Label B
MCA-2653-W2 MCA8G 回-G-回Side A etched exc. 回-G-回, stamped
MCA-2654-W2 回-G-回Side B etched exc. 回-G-回, stamped
〄Ⓑ MCF 3104A 111 ꔰ FSide A (Stamped)
MCF 3104B 111 +Side B (Stamped)
203671 A-1 /81 S IISide A Stamped
203671 B-1 /81 S IISide B Stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Unknown | MCA Records MCF 3104First yearLP, Advance, Album | LP, Advance, Album |
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records MCF 3104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Benelux | MCA Records 203.641First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | MCA Records 203 671-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Europe | MCA Records 203 671-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 671 / MCA Records 203 671-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 671 / MCA Records 203 671-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 671 / MCA Records 203 671-320First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4137 / MCA Records MCF 3104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM 6255First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCF 3104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Singapore | MCA Records MCA-5235First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCL 1747LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5235 / MCA Records MCA-862First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1747LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Spellbound are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, Japan, France and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 3104, released April 10, 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 3104, MCF 3104, MCA-5235, VIM-6255) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF-3104-A3 TOWNHOUSE ∴ FISHTY FUD IZIT 8 and MCF-3104-B-1 ∴ TOWNHOUSE 3. 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.
