Vinyl pressings
by The Fixx · 1986
Secret Separation 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.
22 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 12 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.
FIXXT 10 A // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1Runout, side A, stamped
FIXXT 10 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 2Runout, side B, stamped
FIXXT 10 A*Matrix, label side A
FIXXT 10 B*Matrix, label side B
FIXX 10 A // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1 1Runout (Stamped) Side A
FIXX 10 B // 1 ▽ 420 R 1 1 4Runout (Stamped) Side B
MC - 20447-1 SS4 ◈-P-◈ II STERLINGRunout A etched (◈-P-◈ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
MC20445-SS4 ◈-P-◈I STERLINGRunout B etched (◈-P-◈ sᴛᴇʀʟɪɴɢ stamps)
(MC20447)Label A-side
(MC20455)Label B-side
STERLING MC20447-SS1 回-G-回A-Side Runout Etching
STERLING MC 20455-SS2 回-G-回B-Side Runout Etching
MC 20447A-Side Label
MC 20455B-Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | MCA Records 7-13139First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Australia | MCA Records 0-13138First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52832First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-52832First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Europe | MCA Records 258 685-0First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Guatemala | MCA Records 52832First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Italy | MCA Records 25 8687-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Panama | MCA Records MCA-52832First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Peru | MCA Records F-MCW 0052832.9First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Single · Promo |
| 1986 | South Africa | MCA Records LMCS 010First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Spain | MCA Records 258687-7First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records FIXXT 10First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records FIXX 10First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1986 | UK | MCA Records FIXXT 10First year12", Single, White Label | 12", Single, White Label |
| 1986 | US | MCA Records MCA-52832First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
22 vinyl pressings of Secret Separation are listed here, from 12 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in UK, US, Europe, Australia and more. One of them is MCA Records FIXXT 10.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FIXXT 10, FIXX 10, MCA-52832, L33-17116) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FIXXT 10 A // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 1 and FIXXT 10 B // 1 ∇ 420 R 1 1 2. 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.
