Vinyl pressings
by The S.O.S. Band · 1986
The Finest 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.
21 pressings came out in 1986, 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.
(AP) P o 4Z9-05364-3AB [flower]A-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
(AP) P o 4Z9-05364-4AB [birds]B-Side Runout Etching - variant 1
(AP) P 4Z9-05364-3AA [flower]A-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
(AP) P 4Z9-05364-4AA [birds]B-Side Runout Etching - variant 2
AP P ZS4-05848-3AA ❀Runout Side A etched
(AP) P ZS4-05848-4AB ⁀⁀ ⁀⁀Runout Side B etched
ZS4-05848-3Side A Label
ZS4-05848-4Side B Label
ZS4 05848-3Labels
AP P ZS4-05848-3AA ❀
A 6997 A1 ASide A runout variant 1
A 6997 B1 ASide B runout variant 1
A 6997 A³ 1 2 ASide A runout etched & stamped variant 2
A•6997•B1 DSide A runout etched variant 2
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 | Epic ES 12180First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ES 1130First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ES 12180First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ES 1130First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Brazil | Epic 60006 / Epic 60.006First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Tabu Records 12EXP 05364 / Tabu Records 12EXP-05364First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Canada | Tabu Records ZS4-05848First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Europe | Tabu Records A 6997 / Tabu Records TBUA 6997First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Tabu Records TBUA 12.6997 / Tabu Records A 12.6997First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Ireland | Tabu Records TBU A 6997First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Japan | CBS/Sony 12AP 3199First year12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Epic ES 1130First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Tabu Records TBU A 12.6997First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Tabu Records TBU A-6997First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Spain | Tabu Records TBU A 6997First year7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
22 vinyl pressings of The Finest are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1986 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Tabu Records 4Z9 05364.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 4Z9 05364, ZS4 05848, A 6997, SOS 001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, (AP) P o 4Z9-05364-3AB [flower] and (AP) P o 4Z9-05364-4AB [birds]. 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.
