Vinyl pressings
by Highlight · 1977
California was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 7 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.
5C 006-82364-A/ 31831-I-Y 10Runout area side A
5C 006-82364-B/ 31832-I-Y 10Runout area side B
5C 006-82364 ALabel side A
5C 006-82364 BLabel side B
5C 006-82364-A/ 31831-I-Y 10Runout area side A
5C 006-82364-B/ 31832-I-Y 10Runout area side B
5C 006-82364 ALabel side A
5C 006-82364 BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Belgium | Best Seller 4B006-82364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-82 364 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-82 364First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Germany | EMI 1C 006-82 364 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-82 364First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1977 | Guatemala | EMI 4350First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Italy | EMI 3C 006-82364 / EMI 3C 006 - 82364First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1977 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-82 364 / EMI 5C 006-82364First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Netherlands | EMI 5C 006-82 364 / EMI 5C 006-82364First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | EMI EMI 2629First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | UK | EMI EMI 2629First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1977 | Australia | EMI EMI-11467First year7", 45 RPM, Advance | 7", 45 RPM, Advance |
10 vinyl pressings of California are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Netherlands, UK, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is EMI 5C 006-82 364.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5C 006-82 364, EMI 2629, EMI-11467, 4B006-82364) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 5C 006-82364-A/ 31831-I-Y 10 and 5C 006-82364-B/ 31832-I-Y 10. 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.
