Vinyl pressings
by Wilton Felder · 1983
Gentle Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 7 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 3331-AM4 ◈-P-◈ 1Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 3332-AM4 ◈-P-◈ 111Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 3331-AM4 ◈..◈ 111Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 3332-AM3 ◈..◈ 111Side B runout, variant 2
MCA-3331-AM3 VVV ◈-P-◈Runout side A
MCA-3332-AM3 II ◈-P-◈Runout side B
MCA 3331Label side A
MCA 3331-AM4Side A
MCA 3332-AM4Side B
MCF 3167 A1 A JASide A runout etched/stamped
MCF 3167 B1 A JASide B runout etched/stamped
MCA 3331 AM4Side 1
MCA 3332 AM1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5406First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | MCA Records 205.441First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | MCA Records 250 568-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4180 / MCA Records MCA-5406First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6300First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6300First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5406First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5406First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-5406First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | UK | MCA Records MCF 3167First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Africa | MCA Records ML 4672First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Japan | MCA Records P-11562LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
12 vinyl pressings of Gentle Fire are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1983 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, UK, South Africa, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5406.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5406, MCF 3167, ML 4672, 205.441) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 3331-AM4 ◈-P-◈ 1 and MCA 3332-AM4 ◈-P-◈ 111. 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.
