Vinyl pressings
by Steve Winwood · 1986
The Finer Things was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 3 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.
R-17165 7-28498-A-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-17165-SH2 Δ 15389-X 1-1 [STERLING]Side A Runout, Etched except [stamped]
7-28498-B-RE1-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-17166-Re1-SH2 Δ 15389-X 1-1 [STERLING]Side B Runout, Etched except [stamped]
MX 68141Matrix
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Island Records K-256First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records 92 84987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records 92 84987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Canada | Island Records 92 84987First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | US | Island Records 7-28498First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1986 | US | Island Records 7-28498First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | US | Island Records PRO-A-2651First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1987 | Europe | Island Records 608 87612", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1987 | US | Island Records 7-28498 / Island Records 9-28498-77", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1987 | Japan | Island Records D07D-20247", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1987 | Japan | Island Records D07D-20247", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of The Finer Things are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, Australia, Canada. One of them is Island Records 7-28498.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-28498, PRO-A-2651, K-256, 92 84987) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, R-17165 7-28498-A-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-17165-SH2 Δ 15389-X 1-1 [STERLING] and 7-28498-B-RE1-SH2 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] R-17166-Re1-SH2 Δ 15389-X 1-1 [STERLING]. 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.
