Vinyl pressings
by The Crusaders · 1974
Scratch 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.
15 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 8 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.
BTS 6010 6079 XRunout side A, variant 1
BTS 6010 6080Runout side B, variant 1
̶B̶S̶I̶ BTS-6010 6079Runout side A, variant 2
BTS-6010 6080Runout side B, variant 2
S 1 BTS 6010 6079 1B A2Runout A, variant 1
S 1 BTS 6010 6080 1A A1Runout B, variant 1
S 1 BTS 6010 6079 1A A4Runout A, variant 2
S 1 BTS 6010 6080 1A A3Runout B, variant 2
T \ BTS 6010 6079-1 C3Runout A etched
T \ BTS 6010 6080-2 A14Runout B etched
6079Matrix A, on label
6080Matrix B, on label
6079Side 1, Matrix
6080Side 2, Matrix
S 1 BTS 6010 6079 1B CSide 1, Runout (variant 1)
S 1 BTS 6010 6080 1B A1Side 2, Runout (variant 1)
̶B̶S̶I̶ BTS 6010 6079Runout Side A
BTS 6010 6080 PRunout 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 | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Blue Thumb Records BT 10033 / Blue Thumb Records BT. 10033First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Germany | Blue Thumb Records 87 828 ITFirst yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Italy | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SWX-6116First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | Japan | Blue Thumb Records SWX-6116First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | South Africa | Blue Thumb Records BTSJ (L) 60 10First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | South Africa | ABC Blue Thumb ABCL.0160First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | UK | ABC Records ABCL-5181First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records SWAO-95748 / Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010 / Chisa BTS 6010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010 / Chisa BTS 6010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010 / Chisa BTS 6010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010 / Chisa BTS 6010First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1974 | US | Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010 / Chisa BTS 6010First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Europe | MCA Records MCA-37072 / Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 37072 / MCA Records MCA-37072LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37072LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-37072LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | MCA Coral MCA-37072LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA-37072LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1982 | South Africa | Gold Star Original Artists GSL 108LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1987 | Japan | MCA Records P-13452LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1709LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5181LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | UK | MCA Records ABCL 5181LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Records BTS 6010LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTS 6010 / ABC Blue Thumb BT 6010LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | US | MCA Coral MCA-37072 / Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
37 vinyl pressings of Scratch are listed here, from 9 countries, released between 1974 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, UK, Canada, France and more. One of them is Blue Thumb Records BTS 6010.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTS 6010, ABCL-5181, BT 10033, 87 828 IT) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BTS 6010 6079 X and BTS 6010 6080. 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.
