Vinyl pressings
by Wishbone Ash · 1981
Number The Brave 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.
19 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 15 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.3103.A2Variant 1, A side runout, etched
MCF.3103.B1 STRAWBERRYVariant 1, B side runout, etched
MCF.3103.A.2 8 VVariant 2, A side runout etched
MCF.3103 B.1 11 .STRAWBERRY. VVariant 2, B side runout etched
MCA-2584-MI-2Side 1 Runout Etched
MCA-2585-MI-2Side 2 Runout Etched
Masterfonics 回-G-回Stamped both sides
MCA 2584Side 1 Label
MCA-2584-MI-3 I Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 1
MCA-2585-MI-4 I I Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 1
MCA-2584-MI-3 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Side A runout, variant 2
MCA-2585-MI-4 Masterfonics ◈-P-◈Side B runout, variant 2
MCA-2584-MI-2 Masterfonics 回-G-回Side A runout, etched / stamped
MCA-2585-MI-2 Masterfonics 回-G-回Side B runout, etched / stamped
203625 A-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout A side, variant 1
203625 B-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout B side, variant 1
203625 A-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout A side, variant 2
203625 B-1/81S IRunout B side, variant 2
203625 A-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout side A
203625 B-1/81S I Made in GermanyRunout side B
S 203 625 ALabel side A
S 203 625 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Argentina | MCA Coral SUP-80169First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Australia | MCA Records MCF 3103First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Brazil | MCA Records 203 625First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-5200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Germany | MCA Records 203 625-320 / MCA Records 203 625First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Italy | MCA Records MCA 4129First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6252First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Japan | MCA Records VIM-6252First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1981 | Mexico | MCA Records LAE-371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Netherlands | MCA Records 203 625-320 / MCA Records MCA 5200First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | Norway | MCA Records MCA 5200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | Philippines | MCA Records MCF 3103 / MCA Records MCA 5200First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-5200First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA 5200First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 796-1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Number The Brave are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1981 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, US, France, Germany and more. One of them is MCA Records MCF 3103, released April 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCF 3103, MCA-5200, MCA 5200, 203 625-320) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCF.3103.A2 and MCF.3103.B1 STRAWBERRY. 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.
