Vinyl pressings
by Sonny Boy Williamson · 1969
Bummer Road was first pressed on vinyl in 1969. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
4 pressings came out in 1969, the album's first year, in 2 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.
LP1536 Side 1 17969 T \ XCTV 142208-1A Tm 373.0.2 CHSide A runout etched
T \ LP1536 Side # 17970 XCTV 142209-1A Tm 3731.2 CH A2Side B runout etched
XCTV-142208 #17969Label side A
XCTV-142209 #17970Label side B
LP1536 Side 1 17969 +m3730-1 CH I X5RM-4652-1Side A runout, variant 1, etched / stamped
T \ LP1536 Side II 17970 +m3731-1 CH I X5RM-4653-1Side A runout, variant 1, etched / stamped
LP1536 Side 1 17969 +m3730-1 CH I + A2 X5RM-4652-1Side A runout, variant 2, etched / stamped
LP1536 Side II 17970 +m3731-1 CH I A3 X5RM-4653-1Side B runout, variant 2, etched / stamped
X5RM-4652 LP1536 Side 1 17969 TM3730-1 CHSide 1 Runout
X5RM-4653-1 LP1536 Side II 17970 TM 3731-1 CH AL 1+Side 2 Runout
9033-1536-S1Side A runout, etched
9033-1536-S2Side B runout, etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Canada | Chess 9033-1536 / Chess LP-1536First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1969 | US | Chess 1536 / Chess LP 1536First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| 1969 | US | Chess DJLP-1536First yearLP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono | LP, Album, Promo, Mono · Promo, Mono |
| 1969 | US | Chess 1536 / Chess LP 1536First yearLP, Album, Mono · Mono | LP, Album, Mono · Mono |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | US | Chess CH 1536LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Europe | Dol DOL1465LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Europe | DOL DOL1090HFLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | Chess CH LP 1536 9033-1536LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Canada | Chess 9033-1536LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | Germany | Bellaphon BJS 4009 / Chess BJS 4009LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | Chess CH 1536 / Chess LP-1536LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Bummer Road are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1969 and 2021.
The earliest pressings are from 1969, in US, Canada. One of them is Chess 1536.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 1536, DJLP-1536, 9033-1536) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, LP1536 Side 1 17969 T \ XCTV 142208-1A Tm 373.0.2 CH and T \ LP1536 Side # 17970 XCTV 142209-1A Tm 3731.2 CH A2. 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.
