Vinyl pressings
by Stevie Wright · 1974
Hard Road 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.
7 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 4 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.
YAPAX 1135Side A runout stamped
-YAPAX 1136Side B runout stamped
YAPAX1135Side A label
YAPAX1136Side B label
YAPAX 1135Side A runout stamped
YAPAX 1136Sid eB runout stamped
YAPAX1135Side A label
YAPAX1136Side B label
ST-C-753301-E AT GP PRSide 1 etched
ST-C 753302 C AT GP PRSide 2 etched
ST-C-753301 PRSide 1 label
ST-C-753302 PRSide 2 label
ST-C-753301 -EE ATGP MR △19744(2) +1 PRRunout A, etched
ST-C-753302CC EX ATGP (MR) △19744-X(2) PRRunout B, etched except stamped: (MR)
ST-C-753301-MOLabel A
ST-C-753302-MOLabel B
ST-C-753301 -EEE ATGP-1 PRCRunout A, etched
ST-C-753302CCC ATGP-1 PRCRunout B, etched
ST-C-753301RILabel A
ST-C-753302RILabel B
ST-C-753301-1A-2-D 0Etched Runout Side A
ST-C-753302-1A-2-D 0Etched Runout Side B
ST-C-753301Matrix Label Side A
ST-C-753302Matrix Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | New Zealand | EMI APLP 005 / Albert Productions APLP 005First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Atco Records SD 36-109First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-109First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-109First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Albert Productions APLP 005 / Albert Productions APLP-005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Australia | Albert Productions APLP 005 / Albert Productions APLP-005First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | Brazil | Polydor 2380 249LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Italy | Polydor 2480 249 ALP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Netherlands | Polydor 2925 032LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Spain | Polydor 24 80 249LP, Album, Partially Mixed | LP, Album, Partially Mixed |
| 1975 | US | ATCO Records SD 36-109LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1975 | France | Polydor 2480 249LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1975 | UK | Polydor 2480 249LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Germany | Polydor 2480 249LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Australia | World Record Club R 91540 / Albert Productions APLP.005LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1986 | Australia | Albert Productions MID 166043LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Australia | Albert Productions 465267 1LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Australia | Albert Productions APLP201302LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Australia | Albert Productions 538911871 / Albert Productions 4050538911879LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | Albert Productions APLP.005 / Albert Productions APLP-005LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | Atco Records SD 36-109LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ATCO Records SD 36-109LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
24 vinyl pressings of Hard Road are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1974 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in Australia, US, Canada, New Zealand. One of them is Albert Productions APLP 005, released April 1974.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use APLP 005, SD 36-109) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, YAPAX 1135 and -YAPAX 1136. 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.
