Vinyl pressings
by Bill Withers · 1974
Ruby Lee / Heartbreak Road was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 5 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.
SR 629-A [drum with 2 drumsticks] T<Aa-side runout
SR 629-B [drum with 2 drumsticks] T<Ab-side runout
SR 629-Aa-side label
SR 629-Bb-side label
SR-629-A-1-1-1 [artisan logo] D PRA-Side Runout Etching
SR-629-B-1 [artisan logo] PRB-Side Runout Etching
SR-629 AA-Side Label
SR-629 BB-Side Label
SR-629-ALabel A
SR-629-BLabel B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Sussex SR 629First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Germany | Sussex M 29.001First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | Sussex 2104 401First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | UK | Sussex SXX 7First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1974 | UK | Sussex SXX 7First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1974 | UK | Sussex SXX 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR-629First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR 629First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR 629First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR-629First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR 629First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR-629First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR-629First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR-629First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | Sussex SR-629First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene |
19 vinyl pressings of Ruby Lee / Heartbreak Road are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, Germany and more. One of them is Sussex SR-629, released October 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SR-629, SR 629, SXX 7, M 29.001) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SR 629-A [drum with 2 drumsticks] T<A and SR 629-B [drum with 2 drumsticks] T<A. 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.
