Vinyl pressings
by Barry Gibb · 1984
Fine Line was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 5 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.
MCA - 4238 - SS 2Side-A - Variant 1
MCA - 4239 - SS 2Side-B - Variant 1
MCA - 4238 - SS 2 STERLING 1Side-A - Variant 2
MCA - 4239 - SS 2 STERLING 2Side-B - Variant 1
MCA - 4238 - SS1
MCA - 4239 - SS1
MC 16450-E-SS1 STERLINGSIDE A etched:
MC 15326-SS1 STERLINGSIDE B etched:
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Australia | PolyGram MX-63871First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52501First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881692First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | France | Polydor 881 692-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1984 | Japan | Polydor 12MM7005 / Polydor 12MM 7005First year12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records S45-1242First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-23529First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records L33-1224First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA 52501First year7" | 7" |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-52501First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records MCA-23529First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1984 | US | MCA Records L33-1224First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor 881 692-112", Maxi-Single | 12", Maxi-Single |
| 1985 | Spain | Polydor 881 692-77", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
14 vinyl pressings of Fine Line are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in US, Australia, France, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-23529.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-23529, MCA 52501, S45-1242, L33-1224) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA - 4238 - SS 2 and MCA - 4239 - SS 2. 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.
