Vinyl pressings
by Chi Coltrane · 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.
P AL 32463-1A 1 SX E oStamped Side A [Etched 1 SX E]
P BL 32463-1A 1 S A1 oStamped Side B [Etched 1 S A1]
AL 32463Label Side A
BL 32463Label Side B
S 65639-A I P AL 32463-1AA-side runout, variant 1
S 65639-B F XS P BL 32463-1AB-side runout, variant 1
S 65639-A I P AL 32463-1AA-side runout, variant 2
S 65639-BB-side runout, variant 2
SOPL-242A1 1B1Side A, stamped
SOPL-242B1 1B2Side 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Europe | CBS S 65639 / CBS CBS S 65639First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Japan | CBS/Sony SOPL 242First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | South Africa | CBS ASF 1801First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Columbia KC 32463First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | CBS SBP-234470LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Australia | CBS SBP 234470 / CBS KC 32463LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Canada | Columbia KC 32463LP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | CBS SBP 474170LP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Europe | CBS S 65639 / CBS CBS 65639LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | Columbia KC 32483LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Let It Ride are listed here, from 7 countries, released between 1973 and 1974.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, Europe, Japan, South Africa. One of them is Columbia KC 32463.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use KC 32463, S 65639, SOPL 242, ASF 1801) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P AL 32463-1A 1 SX E o and P BL 32463-1A 1 S A1 o. 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.
