Vinyl pressings
by Mud · 1974
Rocket 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.
33 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 18 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.
YRAK 178 A-1 1 HA-side runout, stamped variant 1
YRAK 178 B-1 2 AB-side runout, stamped variant 1
YRAK 178 A-1 HT 2Side A runout variant 2
YRAK 178 B-1 HM 3Side B runout variant 2
YRAK 178 A-1A-side runout
YRAK 178 B-1B-side runout
YRAK 178 A-1A-side runout
YRAK 178 B-1B-side runout
YRAK 178 A-1 1 RR 1A-side runout, machine stamped
YRAK 178 B-1 L 2B-side runout, machine stamped
YRAK 178 A-1Runout A-side stamped, variant 1
YRAK 178 B-1Runout B-side stamped, variant 1
YRAK 178 A-1 L R 2Runout A-side stamped, variant 2
YRAK 178 B-1 H L 3Runout B-side stamped, variant 2
YRAK 178 A-1 G P 1A-side runout, stamped
YRAK 178 B-1 A P 2B-side runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Angola | Columbia 8E 006 95707First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1974 | Argentina | RAK YRAK 178 / RAK 1019First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | Australia | RAK RAK-10576First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4C006 95 707 / RAK 4C.006.95 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4C006 95 707 / RAK 4C.006.95 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4C.006.95 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Belgium | RAK 4C.006.95 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Denmark | RAK RAK 178First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | France | RAK 2C 008 - 95.707First year7" | 7" |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-95 707 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-95 707 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Germany | RAK 1C 006-95 707 / EMI Electrola 1C 006-95 707First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1974 | Ireland | RAK RAK 178First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Japan | EMI EMR-10662First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1974 | Netherlands | RAK 5C 006-95 707 / RAK 5C 006-95707First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
33 vinyl pressings of Rocket are listed here, from 18 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in UK, Angola, Australia, Belgium and more. One of them is RAK RAK 178.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use RAK 178, 8E 006 95707, RAK-10576, 4C006 95 707) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YRAK 178 A-1 1 H and YRAK 178 B-1 2 A. 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.
