Vinyl pressings
by The Fixx · 1984
Phantoms was first pressed on vinyl in 1984. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1984, the album's first year, in 19 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.
FX 1003 A2 ARunout side A, hand-etched, variant 1
FX 1003 B1 ARunout side B, hand-etched, variant 1
FX 1003 A2 D c:Runout side A, hand-etched, [D c:] stamped, variant 2
FX 1003 B1 ORunout side B, hand-etched, [O] stamped, variant 2
MCA 4057-SS1 1 ▣-G-▣ STERLING ⒽSide A, etched, var. 1
MCA 4058-SS3 6 ▣-G-▣ STERLING ⒽSide B, etched, var. 1
MCA 4057-SS6 ▣-G-▣ STERLING ⒽSide A, etched, var. 2
MCA 4058-SS6 ▣-G-▣ STERLING ⒽSide B, etched, var. 2
MCA 4057-SS6 ◈-P-◈ I I STERLING ⒽSide A runout, variant 1
MCA 4058-SS6 ◈-P-◈ I STERLING ⒽSide B runout, variant 1
MCA 4057-SS8 ◈-P-◈ I I STERLING ⒽSide A runout, variant 2
MCA 4058-SS8 ◈-P-◈ I STERLING ⒽSide B runout, variant 2
MCA 4057-SS6 ◈-P-◈ STERLING ⚾︎Variant 1, Side A runout
MCA 4058-SS2 ◈-P-◈ STERLING ⚾︎Variant 1, Side B runout
MCA 4057-SS6 ◈-P-◈1111 STERLING ⚾︎Variant 2, Side A runout
MCA 4058-SS6 ◈-P-◈1 STERLING ⚾︎Variant 2, Side B runout
MCA 4057. SS2 ▣-G-▣ 3 STERLING ⒽSide A runout
MCA 4058-SS9 ◈-P-◈ STERLING ⒽSide B runout
MCA4057Side A label
MCA4058Side B label
MCA 4098Side A label
MCA 4099Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Argentina | MCA Records FX 1003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 5507-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Australia | MCA Records MCA 5507-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Brazil | MCA Records 127.016First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 5507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 5507LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1984 | Ecuador | MCA Records LP-33613First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | France | MCA Records 251 361-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Germany | MCA Records 251 361-1 / MCA Records MCA-5507First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Greece | MCA Records 251 361-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Israel | MCA Records BAN 251361-1 / MCA Records FX 1003First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 251 361-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Italy | MCA Records 25 1361-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1984 | Mexico | MCA Records LCA-6295First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1984 | Netherlands | MCA Records 251 361-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
37 vinyl pressings of Phantoms are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1984 and 1985.
The earliest pressings are from 1984, in UK, US, Japan, Argentina and more. One of them is MCA Records FX 1003.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FX 1003, MCA-5507, L33-1213, VIM-6330) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FX 1003 A2 A and FX 1003 B1 A. 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.
