Vinyl pressings
by Ohio Express · 1968
The Ohio Express was first pressed on vinyl in 1968. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
16 pressings came out in 1968, the album's first year, in 9 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 o BDS 5018A-1B Bell Sound Λ5Runout A stamped, variation 1
P o BDS 5018B-1A Bell Sound Λ4Runout B stamped, variation 1
BDS 5018 A-1F Bell SoundRunout A stamped, variation 2
BDS 5018 B-1F Bell SoundRunout B stamped, variation 2
T • BDS 5018 A - 1D | Bell Sound Λ7Runout Side 1, stamped (except "7", etched)
T o BDS 5018 A - 1D | Bell Sound D|Runout Side 2, stamped
BDS 5018 ALabel Side 1
BDS 5018 BLabel Side 2
S BDS 5018A-1E Bell Sound o Λ2Side A runout
S BDS 5018B-1F Bell Sound o ΛSide B runout
BDS 5018 ASide A label
BDS 5018 BSide B label
BDM 1018 A
BDM 1018 B
BDM1018A - 1B [Stamped] A5 0
BDM1018B - 1B [Stamped] A5 0
NSPL 28117 A-1◇T STEREORunout side A
NSPL 28117 B-1◇T STEREORunout side B
NSPL.28117-ALabel side A
NSPL.28117-BLabel side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Argentina | Samantha 15004First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Australia | Buddah Records BDS 5018First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Australia | Astor SPLP-1260First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Australia | Astor SPLP1260First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1968 | Canada | Buddah Records BDS 5018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Buddah Records BDS 5018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Canada | Buddah Records BDS 5018 / Buddah Records BDS-5018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Germany | Buddah Records 203 006First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | South Africa | Buddah Records BDC 5002First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Spain | Buddah Records MONO 204006 / Buddah Records 204.006First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1968 | US | Buddah Records BDS 5018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Buddah Records BDM 5018 / Buddah Records BDS 5018First yearLP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Mono, Promo · Promo, Mono |
| 1968 | US | Buddah Records BDS 5018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | US | Buddah Records BDS 5018First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1968 | Venezuela | Buddah Records 5001First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Uruguay | Buddah Records BDS 5018LP, Album | LP, Album |
21 vinyl pressings of The Ohio Express are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1968 and 1969.
The earliest pressings are from 1968, in US, UK, Argentina, Australia and more. One of them is Buddah Records BDS 5018.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BDS 5018, BDM 5018, NSPL 28117, 15004) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P o BDS 5018A-1B Bell Sound Λ5 and P o BDS 5018B-1A Bell Sound Λ4. 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.
