Vinyl pressings
by Leon Russell · 1972
Tight Rope / This Masquerade was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 12 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.
S45-65141 -F2 #3 ─◁Side A runout variation 1
S45-65151A-F2 #3 ─◁Side B runout variation 1
S45-65141-F2 ─◁Side A runout variation 2
S45-+6262A-F2 #5 ─◁Side B runout variation 2
65141 7325 F1#3 OA-Side Runout - Etched
65151A 7325 F1#1 OB-Side Runout - Etched
S-45-65141-F3- 3 ✲A-side runout, variant 1
S-45-65151A-F3- 1 3 ✲B-side runout, variant 1
S-45-65141-F3 1 ✲A-side runout, variant 2
S-45-65151 A-F3 5 ✲B-side runout, variant 2
S-45-65141-F3 1 ✲A Side Runout
S-45-65151 A-F3 12 ✲B Side Runout
(S45-65141)A Side Label
(S45-65151A)B Side Label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Shelter Records SS 126First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Canada | Shelter Records 7325First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1972 | France | Philips 6073 409First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Germany | Philips 6073 409First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Italy | Philips 6073 409First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Japan | Shelter Records SFL-1754First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | Japan | Shelter Records SFL-1754First year7" | 7" |
| 1972 | Netherlands | Philips 6073 409First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Portugal | Philips 6073 409First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | Scandinavia | Philips 6073.409First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1972 | Spain | Philips 60 73 409First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1972 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7026First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | UK | A&M Records AMS 7026First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Shelter Records 7325First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Shelter Records 7325First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
18 vinyl pressings of Tight Rope / This Masquerade are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Shelter Records 7325, released August 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7325, AMS 7026, SS 126, 6073 409) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S45-65141 -F2 #3 ─◁ and S45-65151A-F2 #3 ─◁. 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.
