Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1986
Jazz From Hell 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.
12 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 9 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.
ST-1-74205-Z1 B-25795-Z1 FZ HOTLINE 818-PUMPKIN AL-SP 1̶-̶Z̶ SP 0-1 Δ14731Etched, Side A runout
ST-2-74205-Z1 B-25796-Z1 FZ HOTLINE 818-PUMPKIN SP 1̶-̶2̶ SP 0-1 Δ14731-X AL-SPEtched, Side B runout
[Allied 'ɑ' logo]Machine-stamped, Side A & B runout
ST-1-74205Side A label matrix no.
ST-1-74205-Z1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25795-Z1 FZ HOTLINE 818-PUMPKIN AL-SP 1̶-̶Z̶ SP 0-1 Δ14731Side A runout, etched, [Allied 'ɑ' logo] stamped
ST-2-74205-Z1 [Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-25796-Z1 FZ HOTLINE 818-PUMPKIN 1̶-̶2̶ 0-1 Δ14731-X AL-SPSide B runout, etched, [Allied 'ɑ' logo] stamped
ST-1-74205Side A label
ST-2-74205Side B label
EMC 3521 A-1-1-2[Variant 1] Side A runout - stamped
EMC 3521 B-1-1-1-[Variant 1] Side B runout - stamped
EMC 3521 A-1-1-2-11 D[Variant 2] Side A runout - stamped
EMC 3521 B-1-1-2-1 D[Variant 2] Side B runout - stamped
EMC-3521-1 EOSSide 1 etched
EMC-3521-2 NANOSide 2 etched
ST-6553-1 1A 2E DM-1Side A runout
ST-6553-2 1A 2E DM-1Side B runout
6553-1Side A label
6553-2Side B label
2406731-A1Runout side A, variant 1
2406731-B1Runout side B, variant 1
2406731-A1 CVI C1Runout side A, variant 2
2406731-B1 CVI 2Runout side B, 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 | Argentina | EMI 58980First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Argentina | EMI 58980First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Australia | EMI EMC.240673First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Canada | Capitol Records ST-6553First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 064 24 0673 1 / EMI 24 0673 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Europe | EMI 064 24 0673 1 / EMI 24 0673 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Israel | CBS EMC 3521-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | New Zealand | EMI EMC 3521First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | Spain | EMI 064-2406731First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records ST 74205First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1986 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records ST 74205First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1986 | UK | EMI EMC 3521 / EMI 24 0673 1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Brazil | EMI 31C 064 240673LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1987 | Australia | EMI EMC 240673LP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | EMI EMC 3521LP, Album | LP, Album |
15 vinyl pressings of Jazz From Hell are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1986 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Argentina, Canada and more. One of them is Barking Pumpkin Records ST 74205.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ST 74205, EMC 3521, 58980, ST-6553) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ST-1-74205-Z1 B-25795-Z1 FZ HOTLINE 818-PUMPKIN AL-SP 1̶-̶Z̶ SP 0-1 Δ14731 and ST-2-74205-Z1 B-25796-Z1 FZ HOTLINE 818-PUMPKIN SP 1̶-̶2̶ SP 0-1 Δ14731-X AL-SP. 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.
