Vinyl pressings
by Lesley Gore · 1966
California Nights was first pressed on vinyl in 1966. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 3 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.
YW 39600 7 MRVariant 1, runout A
YW 39601 7 MRVariant 1, runout B
YW 39600 6 MRVariant 2, runout A
YW 39601 7 MRVariant 2, runout B
39600 1 TlSide A runout
39601 1 TllSIde B runout
YW1-39600Label A
YW1-39601Label B
YW1-39600 LA-Side etched runout
YW1-39600 LB-Side etched runout
YW1-39600A-Side label
YW1-39601B-Side label
72649-1A
72649-2B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | New Zealand | Mercury 72649First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | Mercury M. 72649First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | US | Mercury 72649First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1966 | US | Mercury 72649First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1967 | Australia | Philips BF-3057", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1967 | Chile | Mercury 127.2627", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Italy | Mercury 127 262 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Netherlands | Mercury 127 262 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | US | Mercury 726497", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1967 | UK | Mercury MF 963 / Mercury 127262 MCF7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1967 | Japan | Mercury SM-10307", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Chile | Mercury 127.2627", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
12 vinyl pressings of California Nights are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1966 and 1967.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Mercury 72649, released December 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 72649, M. 72649) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YW 39600 7 MR and YW 39601 7 MR. 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.
