Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1982
Valley Girl was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 6 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.
WS9 - 02972 - A P : + - 2 DinkumSide A matrix - etched - Variant 1
WS9 - 02972 - B P : + - 2 DinkumSide B matrix - etched - Variant 1
WS9 - 02972 - A X P : + - I DinkumSide A matrix - etched - Variant 2
WS9 - 02972 - B P : + - 2 DinkumSide B matrix - etched - Variant 2
T WS9 - 02972 - A - T1 T1111 DinkumSide A runout etched, variant 1
T1 WS9 - 02972 - B - T̶1̶1̶ ̶2̶ T11 DinkumSide B runout etched, variant 1
1T WS9 - 02972 - A - T1 DinkumSide A runout etched, variant 2
T WS9 - 02972 - B - T1 P̶ ̶:̶ ̶+̶ ̶-̶2̶ ̶ DinkumSide B runout etched, variant 2
WS9-02972 - AX Pit-1 Dinkum PA runout
WS9-02972 - B Pit-2 Dinkum PB runout
AS-1485-A-T2 Dinkum T1Side A Etched - Variant 1
4W9-63069-BS-1 Dinkum ①Side B Etched - Variant 1
AS-1485-A-T2 Dinkum T1Side A Etched - Variant 2
4W9-03069 B-1 Dinkum ③Side B Etched - Variant 2
WS9 - 02972 - A X P : + - 1 Dinkum
WS9 - 02972 - B X P : + - 1 Dinkum
TI, AS-1485-A - T2, DinkumSide A, runout
TI, AS-1485-B - T2, DinkumSide B, runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | CBS BA 222971First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Australia | CBS BA 222971 / Barking Pumpkin Records BA 222971First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Barking Pumpkin Records 4W9 03069First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic E4-8498First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Canada | Epic DJE4-8498First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | Europe | CBS A-2412 / CBS CBSA 2412First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | Netherlands | CBS CBSA 2412 / CBS A-2412First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A2412First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A2412First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | CBS CBS A2412First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records 4W9 03069First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records AS 1485First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records AE7 1490 / Barking Pumpkin Records AE 71490First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records AS 1485First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records WS9-02972First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | UK | Zappa Records 12 FRANK 10212", Single, Reissue | 12", Single, Reissue |
19 vinyl pressings of Valley Girl are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1982 and 1993.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Barking Pumpkin Records WS9-02972, released July 5, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WS9-02972, 4W9 03069, AS 1485, AE7 1490) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WS9 - 02972 - A P : + - 2 Dinkum and WS9 - 02972 - B P : + - 2 Dinkum. 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.
