Vinyl pressings
by Wishbone Ash · 1980
Just Testing 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.
27 pressings came out in 1980, the album's first year, in 18 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 3052.A.1 BilboSide A variant 1
MCF 3052.B.1 BilboSide B variant 1
MCF - 3052 .A.1 BILBO 23 .'.Side A variant 2, etched
MCF 3052 .B.1 TA1PE .'.Side B variant 2, etched
MCA-2119 M̶C̶A̶-̶3̶2̶2̶1̶ W2 MCA81_ ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, variant 1
⧈-G-⧈ MCA-2120 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, variant 1
MCA- ̶2̶1̶2̶0̶ 2119 M̶C̶A̶-̶3̶2̶2̶1̶ W1 MCA81_ ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, variant 2
⧈-G-⧈ MCA-2120 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, variant 2
MCA-2119 M̶C̶A̶-̶3̶2̶2̶1̶ W2 MCAS1_ ◈-P-◈Side A, etched except ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA-2120 W2 ◈-P-◈Side B, etched except ◈-P-◈ stamped
MCA2119Label, side A
MCA2120Label, side B
MCA- ̶2̶1̶2̶0̶ 2119 M̶C̶A̶-̶3̶2̶2̶1̶ W1 MCA81_ ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, variant 1
⧈-G-⧈ MCA-2120 W1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, variant 1
MCA-2119Label side A
MCA-2120Label side B
201317 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 1
201317 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 1
201317 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
201317 B-1/80S II Made in GermanyRunout side B, variant 2
201317 A-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side A
201317 B-1/80S Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 201 317 ALabel side A
S 201 317 BLabel side B
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 Records MCF 3052First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Brazil | MCA Records 201 317First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | MCA Records 201279First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | France | MCA Records 201279First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 201 317 / MCA Records 201 317-320First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4067First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6219First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6219First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1980 | Netherlands | MCA Records 201 317 / MCA Records 201.317First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | New Zealand | MCA Records maps 9396First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MAPS 9396First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | MCA Records MCA 3221First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1980 | Spain | MCA Records I-201.317First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Mexico | MCA Records LAE 238LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Turkey | MCA Records MCF 3052 / MCA Records 1182LP, Album | LP, Album |
31 vinyl pressings of Just Testing are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1980, in UK, US, Germany, Greece and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 3052.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 3052, MCA-3221, 201 317, 14C 062-63967) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF 3052.A.1 Bilbo and MCF 3052.B.1 Bilbo. 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.
