Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1976
Zoot Allures was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 17 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.
BS-1-2970 WW1 • –––◁Side A runout etched, Variant 1
BS-2-2970 WW1 • –––◁Side B runout etched, Variant 1
BS-1-2970 WW2 • –––◁Side A runout etched, Variant 2
BS-2-2970 WW2 • –––◁Side B runout etched, Variant 2
BS-1-2970 LW2Side A
BS-2-2970 LW4Side B
BS-1-2970 LW2・2Side A Variant 1, etched, with the last 2 rotated 90° and stamped
BS-2-2970 LW2・2Side B Variant 1, etched, with the last 2 rotated 90° and stamped
BS-1-2970 LW2・1Side A Variant 2, etched, with the last 1 rotated 90° and stamped
BS-2-2970 LW2・3Side B Variant 2, etched, with the last 3 rotated 90° and stamped
BS-1-2970 LW1・1✲Side A runout, variant 1
BS-2-2970 LW2・3✲Side B runout, variant 1
BS-1-2970 LW1・1✲Side A runout, variant 2
BS-2-2970 LW2・2✲Side B runout, variant 2
SUB BS-1-2970 JW1 #1 0Side A etched, variant 1
SUB BS-2-2970 JW1 #1 0Side B etched, variant 1
SUB BS-1-2970 JW1 #1 0Side A etched, variant 2
BS-1-2970 JW1 #1 0Side B etched, variant 2
BS-1-2970 WW2 • –––◁Side A, etched, variant 1
BS-2-2970 WW1 #2 • –––◁Side B, etched, variant 1
BS-1-2970 WW1 • –––◁Side A, etched, variant 2
BS-2-2970 WW1 • –––◁Side B, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Argentina | Music Hall 14297First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Argentina | Music Hall 14297First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS 2970First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2970First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2970First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Warner Bros. Records 56 298First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | France | Warner Bros. Records 56 298First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2970LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| 1976 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298First yearLP, Album, Misprint | LP, Album, Misprint |
| 1976 | Greece | Warner Bros. Records 0735 / Warner Bros. Records WB 0735First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Israel | Warner Bros. Records K 56298First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records W 56298First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10266WFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-10266WFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 56298First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Europe | Zappa Records ZR3855-1 / UMe 00824302385517LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2017 | US | Zappa Records ZR3855-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2970LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2970LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Europe | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298LP, Album, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Repress, Stereo |
| ? | Europe | Zappa Records ZR3855-1 / UMe 00824302385517LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| ? | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56298 / Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | France | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56298 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2970LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2970LP, Album, Compilation, Mispress, Stereo | LP, Album, Compilation, Mispress, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56298 / Warner Bros. Records BS 2970LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 56 298LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Greece | Warner Bros. Records WB 0735LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records BS 2970LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records LP-S-65-25LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
77 vinyl pressings of Zoot Allures are listed here, from 21 countries, released between 1976 and 2017.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, New Zealand, Argentina and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records BS 2970, released November 29, 1976.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BS 2970, K 56298, 14297, 56 298) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BS-1-2970 WW1 • –––◁ and BS-2-2970 WW1 • –––◁. 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.
