Vinyl pressings
by Wishbone Ash · 1981
Hot Ash Live 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.
3 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 2 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-2817-W1 MCASide A, Runout, Etched
MCA-2818-W2Side B, Runout, Etched
MCA 2817Side A, Runout, Label
MCA 2818Side B, Runout, Label
MCA-2817 W4 ◈-P-◈Side A runout, etched, Variant 1,
MCA-2818 W3 ◈-P-◈Side B runout, etched, Variant 1
MCA-2817-W3 ◈-P-◈ I MCAShSide A runout, etched, Variant 2
MCA-2818-W4 ◈-P-◈ ISide B runout, etched, Variant 2
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 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4147First yearLP | LP |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5283First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5283First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Brazil | MCA Records 6328 432LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 5283LP | LP |
| 1982 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4147LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6275LP | LP |
| 1982 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6275LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCA-5283LP | LP |
| 1982 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | MCA Records MCA-5283LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA-5283LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1982 | US | MCA Records MCA 5283 / MCA Records MCA-5283LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Hot Ash Live are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1981 and 1982.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in US, Italy. One of them is MCA Records MCA-5283.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-5283, MCA 4147) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA-2817-W1 MCA and MCA-2818-W2. 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.
