Vinyl pressings
by Billy 'Crash' Craddock · 1974
Ruby, Baby / Walk When Love Walks 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.
7 pressings came out in 1974, 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.
ABC-12036 16646-S-1A RFS/WSS sssRunout side A, etched
ABC-12036 16647-S-1B RFS/WSS sssRunout side B, etched
45-16646-SLabel side A
45-16647-SLabel side B
ABC-12036 p 16646-S RFS/WSSA-Side Runout Etching
p ABC-12036 16647-S RFS/WSSB-Side Runout Etching
45-16646-SA-Side Label
45-16647-SB-Side Label
ABC-12036 T 16646-5-1 RFS/WSSRunout side A, etched
ABC-12036 16647-S-2 RFS/WSS T1Runout side B, etched
45-16646-SLabel side A
45-16647-SLabel side B
96 200 A-1Runout side A stamped
96 200 B-1Runout side B stamped
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 | ABC Records ABC-12036First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Germany | ABC Records 1C 006-96 200 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-96 200First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Probe PROJ 3025First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABC-12036First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABC-12036First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABC-12036First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ABC Records ABC-12036First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | MCA Records D-27557", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Collectables COL-902327", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Goldies 45 D-27557", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
10 vinyl pressings of Ruby, Baby / Walk When Love Walks are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, Germany, South Africa. One of them is ABC Records ABC-12036.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ABC-12036, 1C 006-96 200, PROJ 3025) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ABC-12036 16646-S-1A RFS/WSS sss and ABC-12036 16647-S-1B RFS/WSS sss. 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.
