Vinyl pressings
by Alvin Lee · 1979
Ride On was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
12 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 8 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.
1S RS 1 3049 AS CS2 A1 STERLING TJSide A runout
1S RS 1 3049 BS CS2 A1 STERLING TJSide B runout
RS-1-3049 ASSide A label
RS-1-3049 BSSide B label
RS 1 3049 AS CP-4 STERLING TJVariant 1 Runout side A
RS 1 3049 BS CP-2 STERLING PVariant 1 Runout side B
RS-1-3049 AS
RS-1-3049 BS
RS-1-3049 AS
RS-1-3049 BS
RS 1 3049 AS CT 2 Λ8 STERLING T1
RS 1 3049 BS CT 2. B1 STERLING T1
RS 1 3049 ST2 STERLING T1Side A runout
RS 1 3049 BS ST1 STERLING T1Side B runout
(RS-1-3049 AS)Side A label
(RS-1-3049 BS)Side B label
2310678 A//1 V E 420
2310678 B//3 V E 420
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Canada | RSO RS-1-3049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | France | Polydor 2310 678First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Germany | Polydor 2344 139First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1269First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Polydor 2344 139First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 678First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | UK | Polydor 2310-678First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | RSO RS-1-3049First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | Polydor 2310678First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | US | RSO RS-1-3049First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | RSO RS-1-3049First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1979 | US | RSO RS-1-3049First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | US | RSO RS-1-3049LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | UK | Polydor 2310-678LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | UK | Repertoire Records V168 / Repertoire Records REP 2273LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo |
15 vinyl pressings of Ride On are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1979 and 2015.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is RSO RS-1-3049.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RS-1-3049, 2310678, 2310-678, 2310 678) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1S RS 1 3049 AS CS2 A1 STERLING TJ and 1S RS 1 3049 BS CS2 A1 STERLING TJ. 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.
