Vinyl pressings
by Bachman-Turner Overdrive · 1973
Let It Ride 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.
4 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 4 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.
AA 6052 530 1W 1 ℗ 1973 670 1 06Runout (Stamped) side A variant 1
AA 6052 530 2W 1 ℗ 1973 670 111 06Runout (Stamped) side B variant 1
AA 6052 530 1W 1 ℗ 1973 670 11 2 06Runout (Stamped) side A variant 2
AA 6052 530 2W 1 ℗ 1973 670 11 3 06Runout (Stamped) side B variant 2
2-51160 SNBSide A, etched runout, variant 1
2-51103 SNBSide B, etched runout, variant 1
2-51160-2 SNBSide A, etched runout, variant 2
2-51103-2 SNBSide B, etched 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Canada | Mercury M-73457First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Mercury 6052 530First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Mercury 6052 530First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1973 | Peru | Mercury 6052530First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Australia | Mercury 6052 5307", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Ecuador | Mercury 45-7000017", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Lebanon | Mercury 60525307", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Spain | Mercury 60 52 5307", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | Yugoslavia | PGP RTB S 53770 / Mercury 6052 5307", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 734577", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Mercury DJ-390 / Mercury 734577", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 734577", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Mercury 734577", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1975 | Japan | Mercury SFL-18787", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1975 | Japan | Mercury SFL-18787", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Mercury 734577", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
16 vinyl pressings of Let It Ride are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1973 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Peru. One of them is Mercury 6052 530.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6052 530, M-73457, 6052530) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, AA 6052 530 1W 1 ℗ 1973 670 1 06 and AA 6052 530 2W 1 ℗ 1973 670 111 06. 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.
