Vinyl pressings
by LL Cool J · 1988
Going Back To Cali (From Less Than Zero) was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. 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 1988, 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.
XSS-177534-1B MASTERDISK D G1 B25Runout Groove Side A, variant 1
XSS-177612-1A D G1 C21Runout Groove Side B, variant 1
XSS-177534-1A MASTERDISK HW G1 C 4Runout Groove Side A, variant 2
XSS-177612-1A D G1 C 16Runout Groove Side B, variant 2
ZSS-177532-1A G1 MASTERDISKRunout side A, variant 1
ZSS-177533-1B G1Runout side B, variant 1
ZSS-177532-1B G1 MASTERDISK BBRunout side A, variant 2
ZSS-177533-1B G1 B7Runout side B, variant 2
ZSS-177532-1A G1Runout etched side A
ZSS-177533-1B G1Runout etched side B
ZSS 177532Label side A
ZSS 177533Label side B
ZSS-177533-1ASide A & B Runout
ZSS 177532Side A & B Label
XSS-177534-1A MASTERDISK D G1 C9Runout Groove Side A
XSS-177612-1A D G1 C13Runout Groove Side B
XSS 177534Label Side A
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 12CXP 07563 / Columbia 12CXP 07563First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | Canada | Def Jam Recordings 38 07679 / Columbia 38 07679First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEF 651346 7 / CBS DEF 651346 7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Def Jam Recordings DEF 651346 7First year7" | 7" |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 44 07563 / Columbia 44 07563First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 38-07679 / Columbia 38 07679First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 44 07563 / Columbia 44 0756312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Repress, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 38 07679 / Columbia 38 07679First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo · Promo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 44 07563First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 44 07563First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1988 | US | Def Jam Recordings 38-07679 / Columbia 38 07679First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1988 | Europe | Def Jam Recordings DEF 651346 6 / CBS 651346 6First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1988 | UK | Def Jam Recordings LLCJ T2 / CBS LLCJ T2First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Def Jam Recordings LLCJ 2 / CBS LLCJ 2First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1988 | UK | Def Jam Recordings LLCJ Q2First year10", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Special Cut, Stereo · Limited | 10", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Special Cut, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | Def Jam Recordings LLCJ T2 / CBS LLCJ T212", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 12", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | US | Def Jam Recordings 44 07563 / Columbia 44 0756312", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Stereo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Reissue, Stereo |
17 vinyl pressings of Going Back To Cali (From Less Than Zero) are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in US, UK, Europe, Canada. One of them is Def Jam Recordings 44 07563.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 44 07563, 38-07679, 38 07679, LLCJ T2) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, XSS-177534-1B MASTERDISK D G1 B25 and XSS-177612-1A D G1 C21. 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.
