Vinyl pressings
by The Crusaders · 1976
The Best Of The Crusaders was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. 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 1976, the album's first year, in 6 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.
1S BTSY-6027-2-A-1BSide A Runout - Etched
1S BTSY-6027-2-B-1BSide B Runout - Etched
1S BTSY-6027-2-C-1BSide C Runout - Etched
1S BTSY-6027-2-D-1BSide D Runout - Etched
T1 BTSY-6027-2-A-1 VSide A Runout - Etched variant 1
T1 BTSY-6027-2-B-1 VSide B Runout - Etched variant 1
T1 BTSY-6027-2-C-2Side C Runout - Etched variant 1
T1 BTSY-6027-2-D-1Side D Runout - Etched variant 1
BTSY-6027-2-A (2) >Side A Runout - Etched
1S BTSY-6027-2-BSide B Runout - Etched
BTSY-6027-2-C (L)Side C Runout - Etched
1S BTSY-6027-2-D (2)Side D Runout - Etched
ABCD.612.A1 A 1Runout side A, variant 1 stamped
ABCD.612.B1 A 2Runout side B, variant 1 stamped
ABCD.612.C1 A 2Runout side C, variant 1 stamped
ABCD.612.D1 A 2Runout side D, variant 1 stamped
MX209609Runout Stamp A
MX209610Runout Stamp B
MX209611Runout Stamp C
MX209612Runout Stamp D
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | MCA Records 602-1First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Australia | ABC Records ABCA-44005First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Blue Thumb 2307-6027First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Canada | ABC Blue Thumb 2307-6027First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Germany | ABC Blue Thumb 28 329 XBTFirst yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records AMCMP 23011First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | Italy | MCA Records AMCMP 23011LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | UK | ABC Records ABCD 612First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records BTSY-6027/2 / Blue Thumb Records BTSY-6027/2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTSY-6027/2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1976 | US | ABC Records BTSY-6027/2 / Blue Thumb Records BTSY-6027/2First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | New Zealand | ABC Blue Thumb ABCA-44005LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1977 | South Africa | Blue Thumb Records ABCD 319LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1977 | Venezuela | ABC Records ABC-7040LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1978 | France | ABC Records BTSY-6027/2 / Blue Thumb Records BTSY-6027/2LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | France | MCA Coral 300.811 / MCA Coral 300.811-370LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Germany | MCA Records 300.811 / MCA Records 300.811-370LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-6006LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA2-6006LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records BTSY-6027/2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA2-6006LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1981 | UK | MCA Records MCLD 602 / ABC Records MCLD 602LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1984 | Europe | MCA Records 250 536-1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MBT2 6027 / MBT2-6027 / Blue Thumb Records MBT2 6027 / MBT2-6027LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Europe | MCA Records 250 536-1LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | MCA Coral 300.811-370 / MCA Records 300.809LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MCA Coral 0082.704LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 300 811-370 / MCA Records BT-6027/2LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MCA Coral 300 811-370LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | MCA Records 300 811-370 / MCA Records BT-6027/2LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Netherlands | MCA Records 300 811 / MCA Records 300.809LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records ABCD 612LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | UK | MCA Records ABCD 612LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | ABC Records ABCD 612LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | US | ABC Records BTSY-6027/2LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | US | ABC Records BTSY-6027/2LP, Compilation, Repress | LP, Compilation, Repress |
| ? | US | ABC Blue Thumb BTSY-6027/2LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition, Colored vinyl | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition, Colored vinyl |
39 vinyl pressings of The Best Of The Crusaders are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1976 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is ABC Records BTSY-6027/2.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BTSY-6027/2, ABCD 612, 602-1, ABCA-44005) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 1S BTSY-6027-2-A-1B and 1S BTSY-6027-2-B-1B. 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.
