Vinyl pressings
by The Doobie Brothers · 1973
China Grove 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.
22 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 13 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.
QCA 3042 // HM 20.317-1-Y-8.Runout side A variant 1
QCA 3654 // HM 20.318-1-Y-8Runout side B variant 1
QCA 3642 // HM 20.317-1-Y-8.HenkRunout side A variant 2
QCA 3654 // HM 20.318-1-Y-8 HenkRunout side B variant 2
K 16310 A1Runout (Scratched/Etched) Side A
K 16310 B1Runout (Scratched/Etched) Side B
K16310 A1 3Runout side A
K16310 B1 4 ΛRunout side B
QCA 3642 S-1C TIIRunout Side A, variant 1
QCA 3654 S 1C TI IIIRunout Side B, variant 1
QCA 3642 S-1D [Scribed: T]Runout variant 2, Stamped side A
QCA 3654 S-1D [Scribed: T]Runout variant 2, Stamped side B
p QCA 3642S-1AA side deadwax - stamped, variant 1
QCA 3654S-1BB side deadwax - stamped, variant 1
QCA 3642S-1CA side deadwax - stamped, variant 2
QCA 3654S-1C T1B side deadwax - stamped, variant 2
WB-7728-QCA3642-S ̶D̶J̶ 1A ssRunout A
WB-7728-QCA3654-SJ̶ 1A ssRunout B
(QCA3642)SLabel A
(QCA3654)SLabel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records B.7728First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Brazil | Warner Bros. Records WBCS 7.056First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 7728First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 7728First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records WB 7728First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | France | Warner Bros. Records 16 310 / Warner Bros. Records WB 7728First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 16 310 / Warner Bros. Records WB 7 728First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 16 310First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1973 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1251WFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-1251WFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Mexico | Gamma DP-007First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records WB 16310 / Warner Bros. Records WB 16.310First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records B.7728First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | Portugal | Warner Bros. Records N-S-63-46First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WBS 133First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
22 vinyl pressings of China Grove are listed here, from 13 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Netherlands, UK, US, Australia and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records WB 16310.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WB 16310, K 16310, WB 7728, B.7728) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, QCA 3042 // HM 20.317-1-Y-8. and QCA 3654 // HM 20.318-1-Y-8. 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.
