US
1959- Label and catalog number
- Checker LP 2974Checker LP - 2974
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · Black Label, Deep Groove
- Runout / matrix
9816 SheldonRunout A
9817 SheldonRunout B
U - 9816Side A label
U - 9817Side B label
Vinyl pressings
Have Guitar, Will Travel
by Bo Diddley · 1959
25 pressings8 countriesRhythm & BluesRockBlues
Have Guitar, Will Travel was first pressed on vinyl in 1959. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
How to spot a first pressing of Have Guitar, Will Travel
2 pressings came out in 1959, the album's first year. 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.
US
1959- Label and catalog number
- Checker LP 2974Checker LP-2974
- Format
- LP, Album, Mono · maroon label, deep groove
- Runout / matrix
Sheldon 9816Side A runout
Sheldon 9817Side B runout
U-9816A-side label
U-9817B-side label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 25 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1950s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | US | Checker LP 2974 / Checker LP - 2974First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1959 | US | Checker LP 2974 / Checker LP-2974First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
1960s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Australia | Chess CHL 212LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | Canada | Checker LP 2974 / Reo REO LP 614LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Checker LP 2974 / Checker LP-2974LP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1960 | US | Checker LP 2974 / Checker LP - 2974LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Checker 9817-S / Checker LP 2974LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
1980s8 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Italy | Chess CH 8002 / Green Line Records CH 18002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | Italy | Chess GCH 8002 / Green Line Records GCH 8002LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1984 | US | Chess CH 9187 / Chess CH-9187LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Canada | Chess CH 9187 / Chess CH-9187LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1985 | Canada | Chess CH 9187LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Brazil | Brasidisc Lp 5062LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 1988 | Spain | Zafiro 30112192LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1988 | Spain | Zafiro 30112192LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2010s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Europe | WaxTime 771818LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2015 | US | Checker LP-5485 / Sundazed Music LP-5485LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Reissue, Mono · Mono |
| 2016 | Europe | Cornbread Records CRNBR16007LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Europe | DOL DOL10709HFLP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Special Edition · Limited |
2020s3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | UK | DOL DOL1079HFLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2024 | Europe | WaxTime 771818LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 2024 | Italy | Checker LP-5485LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Year unknown3 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Checker LP 2974 / Checker LP-2974LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | Checker 9817-S / Checker LP 2974LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Checker LPS 2974LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
Tracklist
- A1She's Alright3:56
- A2Cops And Robbers3:21
- A3Run Diddley Daddy2:36
- A4Mumblin' Guitar2:49
- A5I Need You Baby2:18
- B1Say Man, Back Again2:53
- B2Nursery Rhyme2:43
- B3I Love You So2:20
- B4Spanish Guitar3:58
- B5Dancing Girl2:17
- B6Come On Baby2:52
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Have Guitar, Will Travel are there?
25 vinyl pressings of Have Guitar, Will Travel are listed here, from 8 countries, released between 1959 and 2024.
When was Have Guitar, Will Travel first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1959, in US. One of them is Checker LP 2974.
How do I tell if my copy of Have Guitar, Will Travel is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use LP 2974) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 9816 Sheldon and 9817 Sheldon. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Have Guitar, Will Travel on vinyl worth?
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.
