Vinyl pressings
by Bucks Fizz · 1981
Piece Of The Action 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.
16 pressings came out in 1981, the album's first year, in 12 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.
JH RCA 88 A-1U [lyre symbol]Side A - Runout (Var. 1)
JH RCA 88 B-1U [lyre symbol]Side B - Runout (Var. 1)
JH RCA 88 A-2U G 1 [lyre symbol]Side A - Runout (Var. 2)
JH RCA 88 B-1U 3 2 2 [lyre symbol]Side B - Runout (Var. 2)
J.H. RCA 88 A-1U ƱRunout side A, variant 1
J.H. RCA 88 B-1U ƱRunout side B, variant 1
RCA 88 A-1U Ʊ J.H.Runout side A, variant 2
RCA 88 B-2U Ʊ J.H.Runout side B, variant 2
RCA 88 A-2U DAMONT J.H. 2̶ OA ƱSide A runout
RCA 88 B-1U Ʊ DAMONT DA J.H.Side B runout
RCA 88 ASide A label
PB 5366 ASide A label
JH RCA 88 A-1U [lyre symbol]Runout, A-side
JH RCA 88 B-2U [lyre symbol]Runout, B-side
BUCKS FIZZ - A,Runout, A-side, etched
BUCKS FIZZ - B,Runout, B-side, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Australia | RCA Victor 103841First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Belgium | RCA Victor PB 5366 / RCA PB.5366First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1981 | El Salvador | RCA Victor CA-11246-First year7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single · Colored vinyl |
| 1981 | France | RCA Victor PB 5366First year7", 45 RPM, 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Germany | RCA PB 5366 / RCA Victor PB 5366First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Ireland | RCA RCA 88 / RCA PB 5366First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Netherlands | RCA RCA 88 / RCA RCA-88First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | New Zealand | RCA Victor 103841First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Philippines | RCA XFPBO-1001First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA Victor PB.5366 / RCA PB 5366First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Spain | RCA Victor PB.5366 / RCA PB-5366First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 88 / RCA PB 5366First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 88 / RCA PB 5366First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 88 / RCA PB 5366First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1981 | UK | RCA RCA 88 / RCA PB 5366First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
16 vinyl pressings of Piece Of The Action are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in UK, Australia, Belgium, El Salvador and more. One of them is RCA RCA 88.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RCA 88, 103841, PB 5366, CA-11246-) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JH RCA 88 A-1U [lyre symbol] and JH RCA 88 B-1U [lyre symbol]. 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.
