Vinyl pressings
by ZZ Top · 1973
La Grange 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.
13 pressings came out in 1973, 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.
CL-8043-2 Bell Sound sf TII/I TRunout side A
CL-8044-2 Bell Sound sf 71 TRunout side B
CL 8043Label side A
CL 8044Label side B
CL 8043-3 MR- Bell Sound sf △73808Runout A
CL-8044-3 MR- Bell Sound sf △73808-XRunout B
CL 8043Side A label
CL 8044Side B label
Ƨ CL 8043 ⁻¹ 2-7-74 [𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹] s𝑓 32803 (mirrored)Runout Side A, etched / [stamped] (variant 1)
CL 8044 ⁻¹ 2-7-74 [𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹] s𝑓 35769 I(mirrored)Runout Side B, etched / [stamped] (variant 1)
Ƨ 34700 (mirrored) CL 8043 ⁻¹ 2-7-74 [𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹] s𝑓Runout Side A, etched / [stamped] (variant 2)
CL 8044 ⁻¹ 2-7-74 [𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹] s𝑓 34699 (mirrored)Runout Side B, etched / [stamped] (variant 2)
CL 8043 .⁻⁴.. [𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹] sƒRunout Side A, etched / [stamped]
CL 8044 .⁻⁴.. [𝐵𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝒮𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹] sƒRunout Side B, etched / [stamped]
ZCL 8043Side A label
CL 8043Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Australia | London Records HL-10459First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1973 | Belgium | London Records 5700-Y / London Records 80-5.700 YFirst year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | Belgium | London Records 5700-Y / London Records 80-5.700 YFirst year7", Single, Misprint | 7", Single, Misprint |
| 1973 | Canada | London Records L 203First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | Italy | London Records HL 10458First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | London Records NZL.1073First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | US | London Records LON 203First year7", Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", Single, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1973 | US | London Records 45-203First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1973 | US | London Records LON-203-DJFirst year7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", Single, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1973 | US | London Records 45-203First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | US | London Records 45-LON-203First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1973 | US | London Records 45-203-DJFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | London Records 45-203-DJFirst year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | London Records HL-104597", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | Brazil | London Records S7L-61427", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mexico | Warner Bros. Records G-2287 / Gamma G-22877", Single | 7", Single |
| 1980 | South Africa | Warner Bros. Records WEA 31 PRO7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
33 vinyl pressings of La Grange are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1973 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Australia, Belgium, Canada and more. One of them is London Records LON 203.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LON 203, 45-203, 45-LON-203, LON-203-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CL-8043-2 Bell Sound sf TII/I T and CL-8044-2 Bell Sound sf 71 T. 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.
