Vinyl pressings
by Jam On The Mutha · 1990
Hotel California was first pressed on vinyl in 1990. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
14 pressings came out in 1990, 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.
LOC 32 / 613 494 A 020 S 613 494 A-1 SSTRunout side A, etched
LOC 32 / 613 494 B 020 S 613 494 B-1 SSTRunout side B, etched
S 613 494 ALabel side A
S 613 494 BLabel side B
MWS 027T-A1Side A
MWS 027T-B1Side B
CTS WembleySide B Runout
MAGX 3 A-1U-1-1 JARunout, side A
MAGX 3 B-1U-1-1Runout, side B
MAGXR 3 A-1U-1-1Runout, stamped, side A
MAGXR 3 B-1U-1-1Runout, stamped, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Australia | Polydor 877 605-1First year12" | 12" |
| 1990 | Australia | Polydor 877604-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1990 | Australia | Polydor 877604-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1990 | Europe | Logic Records 613 494 / Ariola 613 494First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Europe | WAU! Mr. Modo Recordings 877605-1 / WAU! Mr. Modo Recordings 877 605-1First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Europe | Polydor 877 604-7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Germany | Logic Records 613 494 / Logic Records MWS 027TFirst year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1990 | Germany | Logic Records 113 494 / Ariola 113 494First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1990 | Germany | Logic Records LOC 32 / Ariola 613 494First year12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1990 | UK | WAU! Mr. Modo Recordings MWS 027TFirst year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM, White Label |
| 1990 | UK | M&G MAGX 3 / M&G MAGX3First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | M&G MAGXR 3 / Polydor 877 715-1First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | M&G MAGS 3 / Polydor MAGS3First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1990 | UK | M&G MAGXR 3DJ / Polydor 877 715-1First yearPromo, 12", 45 RPM · Promo | Promo, 12", 45 RPM · Promo |
14 vinyl pressings of Hotel California are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1990, in Europe, UK, Australia, Germany. One of them is Logic Records 613 494.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 613 494, 877605-1, 877 604-7, MWS 027T) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LOC 32 / 613 494 A 020 S 613 494 A-1 SST and LOC 32 / 613 494 B 020 S 613 494 B-1 SST. 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.
