Vinyl pressings
by The Originals · 1975
California Sunset was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
10 pressings came out in 1975, the album's first year, in 5 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.
M6·826·S1 E5RS 7500-1-Re2-03A #12 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] ̶M̶Runout Side A
M6·826·S1 E5RS 7500-2-Re2-03A #12 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] ̶M̶Runout Side B
E5RS-7500-1Printed on Label Side A
E5RS-7500-2Printed on Label Side B
M6 826-S1 E5 RS7500 1 Re2 - 03B #13Side one runout [Variant 1]
M6 826-S1 E5 RS7501 2 Re2 - 03B #13Side two runout [Variant 1]
M6 826-S1 E5 RS7500 1 Re2 - 03A #12Side one runout [Variant 2]
M6 826-S1 E5 RS7501 2 Re2 - 03A #12Side two runout [Variant 2]
M6 826-S1 E5 RS7500 1 Re2 - 03B IISide One, etched
M6 826-S1 E5 RS7501 2 Re2 - 03B IISide Two, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Canada | Motown M 826 V1 / Motown M6-826S1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Italy | Tamla Motown TSM - ST 60104First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 062-96464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11287 / Tamla Motown 0C 062 ○ 96464First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1975 | US | Motown M6-826S1First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1975 | Canada | Motown M 826 V1 / Motown M6-826S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Motown M6-826S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Motown M6-826S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | US | Motown M6-826S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 11287 / Tamla Motown 0C 062 ○ 96464First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Motown VIP-6362 / Motown SMOT-6131LP, Album | LP, Album |
11 vinyl pressings of California Sunset are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1975 and 1976.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in US, UK, Canada, Italy and more. One of them is Motown M6-826S1, released March 26, 1975.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M6-826S1, STML 11287, M 826 V1, TSM - ST 60104) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M6·826·S1 E5RS 7500-1-Re2-03A #12 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] ̶M̶ and M6·826·S1 E5RS 7500-2-Re2-03A #12 [Artisan Sound Recorders Logo] ̶M̶. 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.
