Vinyl pressings
by Wishbone Ash · 1973
Wishbone Four was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 14 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.
7-LNMG 279-1LSide A runout stamp, variant 1
7-LNMG 280-1LSide B runout stamp, variant 1
7-LNMG-279-1L 1Side A runout stamp, variant 2
7-LNMG-280-1L I ISide B runout stamp, variant 2
MCA 86 W4 ◈-P-◈Side A Runout, Variant 1
MCA 87 W4 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout, Variant 1
MCA 86 W2 ◈-P-◈Side A Runout, Variant 2
MCA 87 W2 ◈-P-◈Side B Runout, Variant 2
MCA86A Side Label
MCA87◆B Side Label
MCA 86 W1 回-G-回A Side Etch, exc Gloversville stamp
MCA 87 W1 回-G-回B Side Etch, exc Gloversville stamp
MCA 86 W1Side A runout etched
MCA 87 W2Side B runout etched
MCA 86Side A label
MCA 87Side B label
MCA 86 W1 ⧈-G-⧈ 3Side A runout, variant 1
MCA 87 W2 ⧈-G-⧈ 1Side B runout, variant 1
MCA 86 W1 ⧈-G-⧈ 1Side A runout, variant 2
MCA 87 W2 ⧈-G-⧈ 1Side B runout, variant 2
R 124046 A-1Side A runout stamp
R 124046 A-1 0Side B runout stamp
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6673First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6673First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-327First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | MCA Records 410 008First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | MCA Records 410.008LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1973 | France | MCA Records 410 008LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1973 | France | MCA Records 410.008LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6673LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6673First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6673First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6673First yearLP, Album, Mispress, Stereo | LP, Album, Mispress, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA RecordsFirst yearLP, White Label | LP, White Label |
| 1973 | Greece | MCA Records MCA 55208First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6001First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 201 568 / MCA Records 201 568-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | South Korea | MCA Records MCA-2348 / Dae Seong Records DM-0035LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | South Korea | MCA Records MCA-2348 / Oasis Records OLM-3069LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | MCA Records MDKS 8011LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 201 568 / MCA Records 201 568-320LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | MCA Records MAPS 6673 / MCA Records 410.008LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | MCA Records MCA 55208LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | MCA Records MAPS 6673LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6001LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6001LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| ? | Japan | MCA Records MCA-6001LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Norway | MCA Records MCA-2348 / MCA Records MCA-327LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | South Korea | Echoes AS 112LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCG 3503LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCG 3503 / MCA Records MAPS 6673LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCG 3503 / MCA Records MAPS 6673LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-831LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records MCA-2348 / MCA Records MCA-327LP, Album | LP, Album |
65 vinyl pressings of Wishbone Four are listed here, from 19 countries, released between 1973 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, US, South Africa, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records MDKS 8011, released May 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MDKS 8011, MCA-327, R124046, SMCA 581) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-LNMG 279-1L and 7-LNMG 280-1L. 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.
