Vinyl pressings
by The Beach Boys · 1973
California Saga/California was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
3587 A//HM 19305-1-Y-8 1 1 H. 1Runout side A
3587-B//HM 19306-1-Y-8 1 1 1 H.Runout side B
3587-ALabel side A
3587-BLabel side B
QAA 5644S-1AA runout stamped
QAA 5649S-1AB runout stamped
(QAA5644)SA label matrix
(QAA5649)SB label matrix
K 14232 A1 ⋀Side A runout, stamped
RAYSSide A runout, etched
K 14232 A1 ⋀Side B runout, stamped
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Brother Records REP 1156 / Reprise Records REP 1156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Reprise Records RO.3583First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Portugal | Brother Records N-S-66-24 / Reprise Records N-S-66-24First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | UK | Reprise Records K 14232First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | UK | Brother Records K 14232 / Reprise Records K 14232First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | UK | Brother Records K 14232 / Reprise Records K 14232First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | US | Brother Records REP 1156First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1973 | US | Brother Records REP 1156First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Brother Records REP 1156 / Reprise Records REP 1156First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Brother Records REP 14.248 / Reprise Records REP 14248First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | US | Reprise Records REP 1156First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1973 | Japan | Brother Records P-1239R / Reprise Records P-1239RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Japan | Brother Records P-1239R / Reprise Records P-1239RFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
13 vinyl pressings of California Saga/California are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Netherlands, US, UK, Japan and more. One of them is Brother Records REP 14.248, released March 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use REP 14.248, REP 1156, K 14232, P-1239R) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 3587 A//HM 19305-1-Y-8 1 1 H. 1 and 3587-B//HM 19306-1-Y-8 1 1 1 H.. 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.
