Vinyl pressings
by The O'Jays · 1972
Love Train was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
P.I.R. ZS7-3524-3 (1A) F/WA side deadwax - etched, variant 1
PIR ZS7- 3524–4 (1A) F/WB side deadwax - etched, variant 1
P.I.R. ZS7-3524-3 (2A) F/WA side deadwax - etched, variant 2
PIR ZS7- 3524–4 (2A) F/WB side deadwax - etched, variant 2
ZS7-3524-3-1C (2C) F/W. S1Runout A - etched
ZS7-3524–4-1C (3C) F/W S1 PIRRunout B - etched
ZS7 3524-3Label A
ZS7 3524-4Label B
T ZS7-3524-3 (1B) F/W TIIIA side deadwax - etched
F/W T ZS7-3524-4 (9B) TIIIB side deadwax - etched
ZS7 3524-3Side A Label
ZS7 3524-4Side B Label
p PIR ZS7-3524-1 (1A) MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA.Side A runout
p P.I.R. ZS7-3524-3 (1A) F/WSide B runout
ZS7 3524-1Side A label
ZS7 3524-3Side B label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Canada | Columbia ZS7 3524 / Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3524First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Colombia | Epic 36412First year7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Israel | CBS EPC 1181First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | Jamaica | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3524First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1972 | South Africa | Date DA.83First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | UK | CBS S CBS 1181First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | CBS S CBS 1181First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3524First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3524First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Styrene, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1972 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 35247", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Styrene |
| 1972 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3524First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3524First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1973 | Brazil | Epic 662027", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Germany | Epic EPC 1181 / Epic EPC S 11817", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Germany | Epic EPC S 11817", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | UK | Philadelphia International Records S PIR 88647", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Japan | Epic ECPB-2117", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| ? | US | Philadelphia International Records ZS7 35247", 45 RPM, Repress, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Repress, Styrene, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Love Train are listed here, from 17 countries, released between 1972 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Canada, Colombia and more. One of them is Philadelphia International Records ZS7 3524, released December 20, 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS7 3524, S CBS 1181, 36412, EPC 1181) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P.I.R. ZS7-3524-3 (1A) F/W and PIR ZS7- 3524–4 (1A) F/W. 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.
