Vinyl pressings
by 10cc · 1977
Deceptive Bends was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
39 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 23 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.
9102 502 1Y // 2 IB 12 14 MELY + ERIC + GRAHAM + PAUL LOVE YOURunout side A, var 1
9102 502 2Y // 4 IB 1 3 4 MELYSRunout side B, var 1
9102 502 1Y // 3 IB 1 1 5 MELY + ERIC + GRAHAM + PAUL LOVE YOURunout side A, var 2
9102 502 2Y // 4 IB 11 1 MELYSRunout side B, var 2
T1 MELYS SRM-1-3702-A-2-CTVariant 1, side A runout
T1 SRM-1-3702-B CT-7 MASTERDISKVariant 1, side B runout
T1 MELYS SRM-1-3702-A-2-CT CVariant 2, side A runout
T1 SRM-1-3702-B CT-7 MASTERDISKVariant 2, side B runout
S1 SRM-3702-A-6 MELYSRunout side A, etched, variant 1
S2 SRM-3702-B-5 MELYSRunout side B, etched, variant 1
S1 SRM-3702-A-5 MELYSRunout side A, etched, variant 2
S1 SRM-3702-B-5 MELYSRunout side B, etched, variant 2
SRM-1-3702-AA Side Label
SRM-1-3702-BB Side Label
T1 MELYS SRM-1-3702-A-2-CT B BVar 1, A Side
MELYS T1 SRM-1-3702-A-2-CT BVar 1, B Side
P SRM-1- 3702-A9 S̶R̶M̶-̶3̶7̶0̶2̶-̶A̶9̶ MASTERDISKA-side runout, variant 1
P SRM-1-3702-B-4 MELYSB-side runout, variant 1
P SRM-1- 3702-A8 MASTERDISKA-side runout, variant 2
P SRM-1-3702-B-4 MELYSB-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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Australia | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Austria | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Philips 9199 003 / Philips 9199.003First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Philips 9199 003LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Europe | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Mercury 9102 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Mercury 6310 502LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Mercury 6310 502First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1977 | Ireland | Mercury 9102 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Israel | Mercury 9102 502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | UK | Mercury PRICE 5 / Mercury 910 250-2LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1985 | Spain | Mercury 63 10 502LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Mercury 5705481LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | UK, Europe & US | Mercury UMCLP016LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Mercury MIP-1-9338LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Mercury 6310 502LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Hong Kong | First Stereo Record FL 2871LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Japan | Mercury 17PP-7LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Japan | Mercury 17PP-7LP, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo | LP, Promo, Reissue, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | Taiwan | First Record FL-2871LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
55 vinyl pressings of Deceptive Bends are listed here, from 26 countries, released between 1977 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in UK, US, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Mercury 9102 502, released April 29, 1977.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9102 502, SRM-1-3702, SRM -1-3702, 6310 502) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9102 502 1Y // 2 IB 12 14 MELY + ERIC + GRAHAM + PAUL LOVE YOU and 9102 502 2Y // 4 IB 1 3 4 MELYS. 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.
