Vinyl pressings
by Sailcat · 1972
Motorcycle Mama 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.
10 pressings came out in 1972, the album's first year, in 7 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.
1 EKS-75029 A3 SX MM ESR BEtched Side A
1 EKS 75029 B RE SX MM ESR AEtched Side B
EKS-75029-ALabel Side A
EKS-75029-BLabel Side B
EKS 75029 A-2 RE. CP MM ESRSide A Runout, Variant 1
EKS 75029 B-1 RE.⊢ CP MM ESRSide B Runout, Variant 1
EKS 75029 A-2 RE. CP MM ESR SX CSide A Runout, Variant 2
EKS 75029 B-1 RE.1-CP MM ESR SX B 2Side B Runout, Variant 2
S 1 EKS 75029 A-2 RE• MM ESRRunout A
S 1 EKS75029 B-2 RE• MM ESRRunout B
EKS-75029-ALabel A
EKS-75029-BLabel B
EKS 75029 A RE CP MM ESR SXSide A Runout [Hand-Etched]
EKS 75029 B RE-CP MM ESR SXSide B Runout [Hand-Etched]
EKS-75029-ASide A Label
EKS-75029-BSide B Label
MX169009Label Side A
MX169010Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Elektra EKS-75029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Brazil | Elektra ELLP506First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Canada | Elektra EKS-75029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Elektra ELK 42 113 / Elektra EKS 75 029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Japan | Elektra SWG-7586First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Elektra EKS-75029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75029First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | US | Elektra EKS-75029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
10 vinyl pressings of Motorcycle Mama are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in US, Australia, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra EKS-75029, released May 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS-75029, ELLP506, ELK 42 113, SWG-7586) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1 EKS-75029 A3 SX MM ESR B and 1 EKS 75029 B RE SX MM ESR 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.
