Vinyl pressings
by Wishbone Ash · 1978
No Smoke Without Fire was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
19 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 13 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.
MCG 3528 A-2U KEV RAFE NINA SORRY!A-side runout variant 1
MCG 3528 B-2U "GOLD" KEV RAFE KARENB-side runout variant 1
S̶P̶S̶R̶ ̶3̶4̶1̶ ̶A̶-̶1̶U̶ SPSR 431 A-1U IANC-side runout variant 1
SPSR 431 B-2U KAREN IRENE KEVD-side runout variant 1
MCG 3528 A - 2UA-side runout stamped
KEV RAFE NINA SORRY!A-side runout etched
MCG 3528 B - 2UB-side runout stamped
"GOLD" KEV RAFE KARENB-side runout etched
MCG 3528 A - 2UA-side runout stamped
KEV RAFE NINA SORRY!A-side runout etched
MCG 3528 B - 2UB-side runout stamped
"GOLD" KEV RAFE KARENB-side runout etched
MCA 1557 W2 ◈-P-◈Side A Runout Etched, Except ◈-P-◈ Stamped
MCA - 1558 W2 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout Etched, Except ◈-P-◈ Stamped
MCA 1557 W1Runout side A, etched
MCA 1558 W1Runout side B, etched
⧈-G-⧈Runout Both Sides, Stamped
MCA 1557Matrix on label side A
0702 722 S 1 0062 115 S 1 320Stamped, side A, variation 1
0702 722 S 2 0062 115 S 2 320Stamped, side B, variation 1
0702 722 S 1 0062 115 S 1 3 20 3 MStamped, side A, variation 3
0702 722 S 2 0062 115 S 2 3 20 1 TStamped, side B, variation 3
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Australia | MCA Records MCA-3060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-3060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | MCA Records 511 005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | MCA Records 511 005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | MCA Records 0062.115 / MCA Records MCA 3060First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Greece | MCA Records 14C 062-61638First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4040First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6165First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6165First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | MCA Records 61638LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Portugal | MCA Records 6 328 868First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | MCA Records MCA 3060First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | MCA Records 63 28 868First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | MCA Records MCG 3528First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | MCA Records MCG 3528First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-769LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | Spain | MCA Records I-201.274LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | MCA Records 201274LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | MCA Records 201274LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | MCA Records 5C 062-61638 / MCA Records MCA 3060LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Turkey | MCA Records MCA-3060 / MCA Records 1021LP, Album | LP, Album |
27 vinyl pressings of No Smoke Without Fire are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1978 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Germany, South Africa and more. One of them is MCA Records MCG 3528, released October 1978.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCG 3528, MCA-3060, 0062.115, ML 4229) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCG 3528 A-2U KEV RAFE NINA SORRY! and MCG 3528 B-2U "GOLD" KEV RAFE KAREN. 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.
