Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1971
Tears Began To Fall was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
7 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 4 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.
REP-10XX52 PCA-0472 - S - 1AHand-etched matrix side A - 27 scratched out - variant 1
REP-10XX52 PCA-0473 - S - 1AHand-etched matrix side B - 27 scratched out - variant 1
REP-1027 PCA-0472 - S - I TIIIHand-etched matrix side A - variant 2
REP-1027 PCA-0473 - S - I TIIIHand-etched matrix side B - variant 2
REP-1027 PCA-0472-SHand-etched matrix side A
REP-1027 PCA-0473-SHand-etched matrix side B
PCA0472Label side A
PCA0473Label side B
K 14100 ASide 1
K 14100 BSide 2
K-14100-A1
K-14100-B1
K-14100-A1A-Side Runout, Hand-etched
K-14100-B1B-Side Runout, Hand-etched
PCA 0472A-Side Engraved
PCA 0472B-Side Engraved
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | France | Reprise Records 14120First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Reprise Records K 14100First yearSingle, 7" | Single, 7" |
| 1971 | UK | Reprise Records K 14100First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Bizarre Records 1052 / Reprise Records 1052First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Reprise Records 1052First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RO 1052First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Reprise Records K 14100First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Italy | Bizarre Records K 14100 / Reprise Records K 141007", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Italy | Bizarre Records K 14100 / Reprise Records K 141007", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Bizarre Records K 14100 / Reprise Records K 141007", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Bizarre Records K 14100 / Reprise Records K 141007", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Bizarre Records 1052 / Reprise Records 10527", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Reprise Records 10277", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Reprise Records 10277", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Venezuela | Reprise Records REP 10527", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
15 vinyl pressings of Tears Began To Fall are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, New Zealand, France. One of them is Bizarre Records 1052.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1052, K 14100, RO 1052, 14120) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, REP-10XX52 PCA-0472 - S - 1A and REP-10XX52 PCA-0473 - S - 1A. 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.
