Vinyl pressings
by Bachman-Turner Overdrive · 1977
Freeways 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.
28 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 19 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.
SRM-1-3700 A-CT1 IT MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout, variant 1
SRM-1-3700 B-CT3 2T MASTERDISK G.K.Side B runout, variant 1
SRM-1-3700 A-CT1 2T G.K. MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 2
SRM-1-3700 B-CT10 1T G.K. MASTERDISK Λ2Side B runout, variant 2
SRM-1-3700 A-CP6 G.K. MASTERDISKA Side Etch exc Masterdisk stamp - variant 1
SRM-1-3700 B-CP4 G.K. MASTERDISKB Side Etch exc Masterdisk stamp - variant 1
P SRM-1-3700 A-CP5 MASTERDISK G.K. 3AA Side Etch exc P MASTERDISK, 3A stamp - variant 2
P SRM-1-3700 B-CP4 MASTERDISK G.K. 3CB Side Etch exc P MASTERDISK, 3C stamp - variant 2
SRM-1-3700 A-CS7 G.K.A Side Etch (Variant 1)
SRM-1-3700 B-CS7 G.K.B Side Etch (Variant 1)
MASTERDISKA/B Sides Stamp (Variant 1)
SRM-1-3700 A-CS7 AD MASTERDISK G.K. 1SA Side Runout (Variant 2)
SRM-1-3700 A-CT1 2 T G.K. MASTERDISKSide A runout, variant 1
SRM-1-3700 A-CP6 G.K. MASTERDISKSide B runout, variant 1
SRM-1-3700 A-CP6 MASTERDISK G.K.Side A runout, variant 2
SRM-1-3700 I T G.K.Side B runout, variant 2
SRM-1-3700 A-CS8 S 2 G.K. MASTERDISK A3A Side Runout
SRM-1-3700 B-CS8 S 2 G.K. MASTERDISK A3B Side Runout
(SRM-1-3700 A)A Side Label
(SRM-1-3700 B)B Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Unknown | Mercury 6338 723First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Mercury 6338 790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Barbados | Mercury SRM-1-3700First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Brazil | Mercury 6338 790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-3700First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-3700First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Canada | Mercury SRM-1-3700First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Mercury 9100 035First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Mercury 6338 790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Greece | Mercury 6338 790First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Mercury 6338 790 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7221First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Mercury RJ-7221First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Mercury 6338 723First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Mercury 6338 790First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
33 vinyl pressings of Freeways are listed here, from 20 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, UK, Australia, Barbados and more. One of them is Mercury SRM-1-3700.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SRM-1-3700, 6338 723, 9100 035, 6338 790) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SRM-1-3700 A-CT1 IT MASTERDISK G.K. and SRM-1-3700 B-CT3 2T MASTERDISK G.K.. 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.
