Vinyl pressings
by Marshall Hain · 1978
Free Ride was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
20 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 19 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.
SHSP 4087 A - 1 U ƱSide A runout, variant 1
SHSP 4087 B - 2 U ƱSide B runout, variant 1
SHSP 4087 A - 1 U RR 3 ƱSide A runout, variant 2
SHSP 4087 B - 2 U GH 1 ƱSide B runout, variant 2
ST-1-11914 F1 #3 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KJ ()Side A runout, etched (MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped)
ST-2-11914 F1 #2 MASTERED BY CAPITOL KJ ()Side B runout, etched (MASTERED BY CAPITOL stamped)
ST-1-11914Side A label
ST-2-11914Side B label
ST-1-11914 F3 ᴏ .-. MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPSide A runout
ST-2-11914 F3 ᴏ .-. MASTERED BY CAPITOL ✲ KPSide B runout
ST-1-11914Side A label
ST-2-11914Side B label
06716-B 10-1-79 1Runout, side A, stamped
06716-B 10-1-79 1Runout, side B, stamped
SHSP.4087ASide A runout
SHSP.4087BSide B runout
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Argentina | Harvest 6959 / EMI 6959First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Australia | Harvest SHSP.4087 / Harvest SHSP-4087First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Brazil | Harvest 31C 064 06716First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Canada | Harvest ST-6453First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Chile | EMI 5210First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1978 | France | Sonopresse 2S 068-06.716First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Harvest 1C 064-06 716 / EMI Electrola 1C 064-06 716First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Greece | Harvest SHSP 4087 / Harvest OC 062-06 716First yearLP, Album, White Label, Stereo | LP, Album, White Label, Stereo |
| 1978 | Ireland | Harvest SHSP 4087 / Harvest OC 062-06 716First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | Netherlands | Harvest 5C 062-06716First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | New Zealand | Harvest SHSP 4087First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Portugal | Harvest 8E 072 06716First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Scandinavia | Harvest 7C 062-06716First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | South Africa | Harvest SHSPJ(D) 4087First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Spain | Harvest 10C 062-006.716First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Unknown | Not On LabelLP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | Harvest ST-11914LP, Album | LP, Album |
22 vinyl pressings of Free Ride are listed here, from 19 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in UK, US, Italy, Argentina and more. One of them is Harvest SHSP 4087.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use SHSP 4087, ST-11914, 3C 064-06716, 6959) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, SHSP 4087 A - 1 U Ʊ and SHSP 4087 B - 2 U Ʊ. 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.
