Vinyl pressings
by Van Morrison · 1986
No Guru, No Method, No Teacher 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.
16 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 11 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.
MERH 94 A // 1 420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 1
MERH 94 B // 1 420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 1
MERH 94 A // 2 420 H TOWNHOUSESide A runout, variant 2
MERH 94 B // 2 420 H TOWNHOUSESide B runout, variant 2
422-830077-1-AS-3 G1 MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
422-830077-1-BS-3 G1 MASTERDISKSide B runout, variant 1
422-830077-1-AS-3 G1 G1 MASTERDISK A9Side A runout, variant 2
422-830077-1-BS-3 D G1 MASTERDISK A5Side B runout, variant 2
422-830077-1-AS-2 MASTERDISK A-1 ᐉSide A runout; variant 1
422-830077-1-BS-2 HRM MASTERDISK A- ᐉSide B runout; variant 1
422-830077-1-AS-2 MASTERDISK A-2 A- ᐉSide A runout; variant 2
422-830077-1-BS-2 MASTERDISK A-2 ᐉSide B runout; variant 2
422-830077-1-AS-1 MASTERDISK EMWSide A runout
422-830077-1-BS-1 MASTERDISK EMWSide B runout
830 077-1ASide A etched runout variant 1
830 077-1BSide B etched runout variant 1
830 077-1A-2Side A etched runout variant 2
830 077-1B-3Side B etched runout variant 2
830077-1 ASide A etched runout
830077 1 BSide B etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 830 077-1First yearAlbum, LP | Album, LP |
| 1986 | Australasia | Mercury 830 077-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Canada | Mercury 830 077-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 077-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Mercury 830 077-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Germany | Mercury 830 077-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Greece | Mercury 830 077-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ireland | Mercury MERH 94First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-198First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | Japan | Mercury 25PP-198First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Portugal | Mercury 830 077-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | Mercury 830 077-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 830 077-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-830 077-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 830 077-1 M-1 / Mercury 422-830 077-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | US | Mercury 830 077-1 M-1 / Mercury 422 830-077-1 M-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | UK | Polydor 849 619-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Mercury MERH 94LP, Album | LP, Album |
18 vinyl pressings of No Guru, No Method, No Teacher are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1986 and 1991.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Australasia, Canada and more. One of them is Mercury MERH 94, released July 1986.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERH 94, 830 077-1 M-1, 830 077-1, 25PP-198) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MERH 94 A // 1 420 H TOWNHOUSE and MERH 94 B // 1 420 H TOWNHOUSE. 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.
