Vinyl pressings
by Alexander O'Neal · 1987
Fake was first pressed on vinyl in 1987. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
21 pressings came out in 1987, the album's first year, in 9 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.
4Z9-06788-3AB ❀ o GI A8Runout side A, variant 1
4Z9-06788-4AA ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ o GI A 4Runout side B, variant 1
4Z9-06788-3Aa ❀ GI B12Runout side A, variant 2
4Z9-06788-4A-B ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ GI D3Runout side B, variant 2
ZS4 - 0 7100 - 3AA G IRunout area side A
ZS4 - 0 7100 - 4AA G IRunout area side B
ZS4 07100-3A-side label
ZS4 07100-4B-side label
650891 7 A1 ASide A runout etched
650891 7 B1 ASide B runout etched
650891 7 A*Side A label
650891 7 B*Side B label
650891 - 7 A1Runout Side A
650891 - 7 B1Runout Side B
650891 - 7 A1 ARunout side A
650891 - 7 B1 AD2 BRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Canada | Tabu Records 12EXP-06788 / Tabu Records 12EXP 06788First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1987 | Canada | Tabu Records ZS4 07100First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Tabu Records TBU 650859 6 / Tabu Records 650859 6First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Europe | Tabu Records 650859 7 / Tabu Records TBU 650859 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | CBS/Sony 12AP 3367First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 1049First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP 1049First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | Japan | CBS/Sony 12AP 3367First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | New Zealand | Epic 650859 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Spain | Tabu Records TBU 650859 6 / EPIC 650859 6First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Tabu Records 650891 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | UK | Tabu Records 650891 0First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1987 | UK | Tabu Records XPR 1342First year12", Promo, White Label · Promo | 12", Promo, White Label · Promo |
| 1987 | UK | Tabu Records 650891 0First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK & Europe | Tabu Records 650891 6First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | US | Tabu Records ZS8 08447 / Collectables ZS8 084477", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | UK | M&S Productions SP 25 2212", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 12", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
24 vinyl pressings of Fake are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1987 and 2001.
The earliest pressings are from 1987, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Tabu Records 4Z9-06788.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4Z9-06788, ZS4-07100, 650891 7, 650891 0) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 4Z9-06788-3AB ❀ o GI A8 and 4Z9-06788-4AA ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀ o GI A 4. 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.
