Vinyl pressings
by The L.A. Express · 1976
L.A. Express was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
9 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 6 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.
CRB S 81267 A1 A 1 11Runout A, variant 1
CRB S 81267 B1 B 4Runout B, variant 1
CRB S 81267 A1 A 11Runout A, variant 2
CRB S 81267 B1 B 3Runout B, variant 2
PAL 33940-1BA runout etched
PBL 33940-1AB runout etched
AL 33940A Side Label
BL 33940B Side Label
1 S XS PAL 33940-1B CRunout side 1, variant 1
1 S PBL 33940-1A SX BRunout side 2, variant 1
1S PAL-33940-1A SX TSXRunout side 1, variant 2
2S PBL-33940-1A SXT SX A5Runout side 2, variant 2
PAL 33940-1BA runout etched
PBL 33940-1AB runout etched
S -/5 PAL 33940-1ARunout A
PBL 33940-1C AZRunout B
AL 33940A Side Label
BL 33940B Side Label
AL 33940 - 1A - 2G oA Side Runout, variant 1
BL 33940 - 1A - 2G oB Side Runout, variant 1
AL-33940 - 1A - 2G: oA Side Runout, variant 2
BL-33940 - 1A - 2G: oB Side Runout, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Canada | Caribou Records PZ 33940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Caribou Records ECPO-87-CBFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Caribou Records CRB 81267First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | South Africa | Epic KSF7039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Caribou Records S CRB 81267First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Caribou Records PZ 33940 / Epic PZ 33940First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Caribou Records PZ 33940First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Caribou Records 33940 / Caribou Records Z 33940First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | US | Caribou Records PZ 33940First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Caribou Records DL 3001LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of L.A. Express are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in UK, US, Canada, Japan and more. One of them is Caribou Records S CRB 81267.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S CRB 81267, PZ 33940, 33940, ECPO-87-CB) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CRB S 81267 A1 A 1 11 and CRB S 81267 B1 B 4. 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.
