Vinyl pressings
by Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson · 1978
Secrets was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
AB 4189-SA-1A B 5Side A runout, variant 1
AB 4189-SB-1A II[sideways] A 5Side B runout, variant 1
AB4189SA PSide A runout, variant 2
AB4189SBSide B runout, variant 2
(AB 4189 SA)Label A
(AB 4189 SB)Label B
AB4189 SAXA Side, Handwritten
AB4189 SBXB-Side. Handwritten
IT AB 4189 SA - 1 CTHSide A runout, variant 1
TI AB 4189 SB - 3 - CTHSide B runout, variant 1
T1 AB 4189 SA - 1 CTH B10Side A runout, variant 2
AB 4189 SB - 4 CTH A20Side B runout, variant 2
AB 4189 SA-1B B3 \SA Side, etched
AB 4189 SB-1A = B3 \SB-Side, etched
(AB 4189 SA)Label A
(AB 4189 SB)Label B
AB4189 SA HUBA Runout, Etched
AB4189 SB HUBB Runout, Etched
(AB 4189 SA)Label A
(AB 4189 SB)Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Arista AB 4189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Arista 2 C 070 61647First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Arista 25RS-11First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Arista 25RS-11First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | UK | Arista SPART 1073First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4189LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1978 | US | Arista AB 4189First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | Arista AB 4189LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | South Africa | Arista ASTJ(D) 54LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | US | Tvt AB 4189 / Arista AB 4189LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Arista AB 4189LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
15 vinyl pressings of Secrets are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1978 and 2007.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Arista AB 4189.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use AB 4189, SPART 1073, 2 C 070 61647, 25RS-11) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AB 4189-SA-1A B 5 and AB 4189-SB-1A II[sideways] A 5. 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.
