Vinyl pressings
by Electribe 101 · 1989
Tell Me When The Fever Ended was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1989, the album's first year, in 7 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.
JAVariants 1 & 2, side A, etched
MERX 310 H̶I̶P̶ ̶-̶ ̶2̶1̶2̶ A - 1 U - 1 - 1Variant 1, side A, stamped
MERX 310 H̶I̶P̶ ̶-̶ ̶2̶1̶2̶ B - 1 U - 1 - 1Variant 1, side B, stamped
MERX 310 H̶I̶P̶ ̶-̶ ̶2̶1̶2̶ A - 2 U - 1 - 1Variant 2, side A, stamped
MER 310 H̶I̶P̶ ̶2̶ A-1U-1- Q2 JARunout, variant 1, side A
MER 310 H̶I̶P̶ ̶2̶ B-1U-1- Q 4Runout, variant 1, side B
MER 310 H̶I̶P̶ ̶2̶ A-1U-1- Q3 JARunout, variant 2, side A
MER 310 H̶I̶P̶ ̶2̶ B-1U-1- Q3Runout, variant 2, side B
MERXR 310 A-1J-1-1Runout, side A, etched, variant 1
MERXR 310 B-1J-1-1Runout, side B, etched, variant 1
MERXR 310 A-1U-1-1 JARunout, side A, stamped/etched, variant 2
MERXR 310 B-1U-1-1Runout, side B, stamped, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australasia | Mercury 874 708-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Australasia | Mercury 874709-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Canada | Vertigo 876 743-1First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1989 | Europe | Mercury 874 708-7 / Mercury MER 310First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | Mercury 874 709-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | UK | Mercury HIPDJ 2First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Mercury MERXRDJ 310First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 876 405-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | US | Mercury 876 405-1First year12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo | 12", Promo, 33 ⅓ RPM · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | Phonogram MER 310 / Mercury 874 708-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | Phonogram MER 310 / Mercury 874 708-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK & Europe | Mercury MERX 310 / Mercury 874 709-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1989 | UK | Mercury MERXR 310 / Mercury 876 231-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
13 vinyl pressings of Tell Me When The Fever Ended are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in UK & Europe, UK, US, Australasia and more. One of them is Mercury MERX 310, released October 9, 1989.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MERX 310, MER 310, MERXR 310, 876 405-1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, JA and MERX 310 H̶I̶P̶ ̶-̶ ̶2̶1̶2̶ A - 1 U - 1 - 1. 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.
