Vinyl pressings
by Albert Hammond · 1972
It Never Rains In Southern California was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 13 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.
ZS 7-6011-3 PRunout A etched [P stamped]
ZS 7-6011-4 PRunout B etched [P stamped]
ZS7 6011-3Label A
ZS7 6011-4Label B
BB-ZS7-6011-3 ϟϟϟA Side, runout, etched
AB-ZS7-6011-4 ϟϟϟϟB Side, runout, etched
ZS7 6011-3A Side, label
ZS7 6011-4B Side, label
ZS 7-6011-3-1-1 PR GRunout Side A
ZS7-6011-4-1-1 PRRunout Side B
ZS7 6011-3Side A Label
ZS7 6011-4Side B Label
TIEtehced in runouts
TI AD - ZS7-6011-3Runout A, variant 1
TI AD - ZS7-6011-4Runout B, variant 1
AD - ZS7-6011-3 TIIIRunout side A, etched, variant 2
AE-ZS7-6011-3Runout A
AE-ZS7-6011-4Runout B
ZS7 6011-3Label A
ZS7 6011-4Label B
ZS 7-6011-3 TI [◈-P-◈]IRunout side A, etched / [stamped]
ZS 7-6011-3 TI [◈-P-◈]Runout side B, etched / [stamped]
ZS7 6011-3Side A label
ZS7 6011-4Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | CBS BA 221941First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Australia | CBS BA 221941First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia ZS7 6011First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Epic EPC S 8499First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Epic EPC S 8499First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Greece | CBS CBS 301384First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Epic ECPA-56 / Epic ECPA 56First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Japan | Epic 06・5P-35First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Epic EPC 8499 / Epic EPC S 8499First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | CBS BA 461420First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | Epic EPC-S-8 499First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | South Africa | CBS SSC.1236First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Sweden | Epic EPC S 8499First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1972 | UK | Mums Records S MUM 8499First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | UK | Mums Records S MUM 8499First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Epic ECPB 2707", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
39 vinyl pressings of It Never Rains In Southern California are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1972 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Mums Records ZS7 6011, released September 22, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS7 6011, S MUM 8499, BA 221941, EPC S 8499) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ZS 7-6011-3 P and ZS 7-6011-4 P. 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.
