Vinyl pressings
by The Beach Boys · 1966
Wouldn't It Be Nice / God Only Knows 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.
34 pressings came out in 1966, the album's first year, in 21 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.
45 - 55558 - G2 *3Side A runout, stamped, variant 1
45 - 55849 - G2 *3Side B runout, stamped, variant 1
45-55558-G2#4 IAMSide A runout, etched, variant 2
45-55849-F3#2 IAMSide B runout, etched, variant 2
45-55558-F-5- 1 ✲Side A runout, variant 1
45-55849-F-5- 1 ✲Side B runout, variant 1
45-55558-G-6 · 1 ✲Side A runout, variant 2
45-55849-G-6 · 2 ✲Side B runout, variant 2
Side A: 45-55558-P2P
Side B: 45-55849-P2P
KTRunout stamped UK tax code
F 55849-1 GA KT 2Runout side A, variant 1
F 55558-1 RA KT 1Runout side B, variant 1
F 55849-1 AA KT 1Runout side A, variant 2
F 55849-1Runout Side A
F 55558-1Runout Side B
KTRunout stamped UK Tax Code
F 55849 45Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Argentina | Capitol Discos 33 M 5706First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Argentina | Capitol Discos 33 M 5706First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1966 | Australia | Capitol Records CP-1663First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records 5706First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Canada | Capitol Records 5706First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Denmark | Capitol Records F 5706First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Denmark | Capitol Records F 5706First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | France | Capitol Records F 100003First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox |
| 1966 | Germany | Capitol Records K 23 264 / Capitol Records F-5706First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Greece | Capitol Records F. 5706First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Greece | Capitol Records F. 5706First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| 1966 | India | Capitol Records 45-CL. 15459First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1966 | Italy | Capitol Records F 5706First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Italy | Capitol Records F 5706First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1966 | Italy | Capitol Records F 5706First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | UK | Capitol Records CL 160537", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | US | Capitol Records F 57067", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Jukebox, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2016 | UK | Capitol Records 060254791717 / UMe 0602547917177", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Finland | Capitol Records CL 154597", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
41 vinyl pressings of Wouldn't It Be Nice / God Only Knows are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1966 and 2016.
The earliest pressings are from 1966, in US, UK, Canada, Ireland and more. One of them is Capitol Records 5706, released October 10, 1966.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 5706, CL 15459, CL(I)15459, CR-1579) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 45 - 55558 - G2 *3 and 45 - 55849 - G2 *3. 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.
