Vinyl pressings
by Jim Stafford · 1974
Wildwood Weed / The Last Chant 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.
11 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 3 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.
M14737 73L6029 Ⓢ -2 1-1 PRA side runout, variant 1
M14737 73L6026 Ⓢ -2 1-1 PRB side runout, variant 1
M14737 73L6029 Ⓢ -1 1-1 PRA side runout, variant 2
M14737 73L6026 S-1 PRB side runout, variant 2
73 L 6029Label A
73 L 6026Label B
M14737 73L6029 S (in a circle)-x 6-18-74 3PR80Runout side A [hand-etched]
M14737 73L6026 S (in a circle)-x 6-18-74 3PR82Runout side B [hand-etched]
73 L 6029Label side A
73 L 6026Label side B
73 L 6029"A" side matrix number
73 L 6026"B" side matrix number
73L6029 K-8282"A" side runout variation 1
73L6029 K-8283"B" side runout variation 1
M̶1̶4̶7̶3̶7̶ 73L6029 S 6-18-74 36566A-Side Runout Etching
Ƨ M14737 73L6026 S-X 6-18-74B-Side Runout Etching
73 L 6029A-Side Label
73 L 6026B-Side Label
M14737 73L6029 Ⓢ -2 1-1 PR DA side runout, variant 1
M14737 73L6026 Ⓢ -2 1-1 PR DB side runout, variant 1
M14737-73L-6029-S-3 [TML-S]-1-1 PR DA side runout, etched [stamped], variant 2
M14737-73L-6026-S-3 [TML-S]-1-1 PR DB side runout, etched [stamped], 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | MGM Records M-14737First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Canada | MGM Records M-14737-DJFirst year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Canada | MGM Records M-14737First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | New Zealand | MGM Records 2006 447First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M 14737First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M 14737First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M 14737First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M 14737First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M 14737First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Mono · Mono | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene, Mono · Mono |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M 14737First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
| 1974 | US | MGM Records M 14737First year7", 45 RPM, Styrene | 7", 45 RPM, Styrene |
11 vinyl pressings of Wildwood Weed / The Last Chant are listed here, from 3 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is MGM Records M 14737.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use M 14737, M-14737, 2006 447, M-14737-DJ) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, M14737 73L6029 Ⓢ -2 1-1 PR and M14737 73L6026 Ⓢ -2 1-1 PR. 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.
