Vinyl pressings
by Willie Nelson · 1980
Family Bible was first pressed on vinyl in 1980. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 3 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.
◈-G-◈Runout Both Sides, Stamped
MCA-2343 W2 Mcash ◈-G-◈Side A: all etched except Gloversville logo stamped
MCA 2343 W2 ◈-G-◈Side B: all etched (no dash after MCA) except Gloversville logo stamped
MCA 2343 W5 MCA8bSide 1 runout
MCA 2344 W3Side 2 runout
MCA2343Side 1 label
MCA2344Side 2 label
MCA-2343 W5 MCAsh ◈-P-◈ 11Runout A
MCA-2344 W4 ◈-P-◈ 111Runout B
MCA-2343 W6 MCAsh ◈-P-◈ 11Variant 2; Runout A
MCA-2344 W4 ◈-P-◈ 111Variant 2; Runout B
MCA 2343 W5A Side: etching
MCA 2344 W3B Side: etching
MCA-2343 W2 MCASh ⧈-G-⧈ 2Side 1 runout etched
MCA-2344 W1 ⧈-G-⧈ 3Side 2 runout etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Australia | MCA Songbird Records MCA-3258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Songbird Records MCA-3258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Songbird Records MCA-3258LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | MCA Songbird Records MCA 37167LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | MCA Songbird Records MCA-3258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Songbird Records MCA-929First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 3258LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | US | MCA Songbird Records MCA-3258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Songbird Records MCA-3258 / MCA Records MCA-3258First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | US | MCA Songbird Records MCA-929 / MCA Songbird Records MCA-2343First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Africa | MCA Songbird Records PPL 89 / MCA Records MCA 37167LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
11 vinyl pressings of Family Bible are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1980 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in US, Australia, Canada. One of them is MCA Songbird Records MCA-3258.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-3258, MCA-929) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ◈-G-◈ and MCA-2343 W2 Mcash ◈-G-◈. 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.
