Vinyl pressings
by Roger Daltrey · 1975
Ride A Rock Horse was first pressed on vinyl in 1975. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
26 pressings came out in 1975, 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.
2442135 A //2 1 2 3 LH STERLINGRunout A stamped (LH etched), variant 1
2442135 B //1 1 1 3 2 STERLINGRunout B stamped, variant 1
2442135 A //2 1 3 1 LH STERLINGRunout A stamped (LH etched), variant 2
2442135 B//2 1 2 2 STERLINGRunout B stamped, variant 2
2442135 A //2 1 2 3 STERLINGSide A runout, stamped
LHSide A runout, etched
2442135 B //1 1 1 3 2 STERLINGSide B runout, stamped
2442135 A//1 1 1 1 STERLING LHSide A Runout
2442135 B//2 1 1 1 STERLINGSide B Runout
2442135 A //2 1 3 STERLING LHRunout, Side A
2442135 B //2 1 P 2 STERLINGRunout, Side B
MCA 796 W2 LH ◈-P-◈Var. 1 - Runout side A
MCA 797 W2 ◈-P-◈Var. 1 - Runout side B
MCA 796 W2 ◈-P-◈ II STERLING LHVar. 2 - Runout side A
MCA 797 W2 ◈-P-◈ STERLING IIIIVar. 2 - Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Australia | Polydor 2383 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Austria | Polydor 2383 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Brazil | Polydor 2383 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2147First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2147 / MCA Records MCA 797First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | France | Polydor 2383 346First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Greece | Polydor 2383 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Ireland | Polydor 2442 135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Polydor 2383 346 AFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Polydor 2460-254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | New Zealand | Polydor 2383 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | South Africa | Polydor 2383 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 346 / Goldhawke 23 83 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 346 / Goldhawke 23 83 346First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2442-135First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA 37030LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 37030 / Goldhawke MCA 37030LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 37030LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1986 | Spain | Polydor 829 523-1 / Goldhawke 829 523-1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | France | Polydor 2383 346 / Goldhawke 2383 346LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | Polydor 2383 346LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Portugal | Polydor 2383 346LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
35 vinyl pressings of Ride A Rock Horse are listed here, from 20 countries, released between 1975 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1975, in UK, US, Germany, Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong and more. One of them is Polydor 2442-135.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2442-135, MCA-2147, 2442135, 2383 346) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2442135 A //2 1 2 3 LH STERLING and 2442135 B //1 1 1 3 2 STERLING. 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.
