Vinyl pressings
by Starship · 1985
Sara was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
22 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 11 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.
FB-14253-A-35 Precision SMRunout side A, etched (variant 1)
FB-14253-B•4S Precision SMRunout side B, etched (variant 1)
FB-14253-A-5S Precision SMRunout side A, etched (variant 2)
FB-14253-B•5S Precision SMRunout side B, etched (variant 2)
FB-14253-A-3S Precision SM ELA - △ 110431Runout side A
FB-14253-B-4S Precision SM ELA- △ 110431XRunout side B
FB-14253-ALabel side A
FB-14253-BLabel side B
FB-14253-A-25 Precision SM I A1A Side Runout, Variant 1
FB-14253-B-15 Precision SM I A3B Side Runout, Variant 1
FB-14253-A-25 Precision SM I A2A Side Runout, Variant 2
FB-14253-B-15 Precision SM I A2B Side Runout, Variant 2
FB-14253-A-4S Precision SM ELA- △ 110431Runout both sides, etched
FB-14253-ALabel both sides
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | RCA 104490 / Grunt 104490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Australia & New Zealand | RCA 104490 / Grunt 104490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Barbados | RCA FB-14253First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Barbados | RCA FB-14253First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | Grunt FB-14253First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Canada | RCA FB-14253 / Grunt FB-14253First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Ireland | RCA FB 49893First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Japan | Grunt RPS-201First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Japan | Grunt RPS-201First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Grunt 104490First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Panama | RCA RUS-130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Portugal | Grunt 14235First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Portugal | RCA Victor PB 14253 / Grunt PB-14253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Spain | Grunt FB 4253First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Spain | Grunt FB 4253 / Grunt FB-4253First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
35 vinyl pressings of Sara are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, Australia, Australia & New Zealand, Barbados and more. One of them is Grunt FB-14253, released December 1985.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FB-14253, JK-14253, JD-14254, 104490) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FB-14253-A-35 Precision SM and FB-14253-B•4S Precision SM. 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.
