Vinyl pressings
by The Doors · 1971
Tightrope Ride was first pressed on vinyl in 1971. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1971, the album's first year, in 9 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.
EKS-45757-A-SP1 [Stamped: Artisan logo] 11-4-71Scribed in runout, side A
EKS-45757-B-SP1 [Stamped: Artisan logo] 11-4-71Scribed in runout, side B
EKS-45757-ALabel A
EKS-45757-BLabel B
EKS-45757-ALabel side A
EKS-45757-BLabel side B
EKS-45757 A-1 CSMRun-out side A
EKS-45757 B CSMRun-out side B
EKS-45757-ALabel side A
EKS-45757-BLabel side B
EKS-45757-A-SP1, SRC stamper, Artisan stamper, 11-4-71Run-out side A
EKS-45757-B-SP1, SRC stamper, Artisan stamper, 11-4-71Run-out side B
EKS-45757-ALabel side A
EKS-45757-BLabel side B
ASCAP
EKS-45757-ALabel side A
EKS-45757-BLabel side B
[SRC Logo] EKS-45757 A SP [Artisan logo] 10-28-71Runout Side A
[SRC Logo] EKS-45757 B SP [Artisan logo] 10-27-71Runout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Unknown | Elektra EKS 610First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Canada | Elektra E-45757First year7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | France | Elektra 12036First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra JET-2097First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | Japan | Elektra JET-2097First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | New Zealand | Elektra EKM.45757First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | Scandinavia | Elektra EK 12 036First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1971 | UK | Elektra K 12036First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | UK | Elektra K 12036First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45757First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45757First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45757First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45757First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1971 | US | Elektra EKS-45757First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1971 | Philippines | Elektra EKS-45757First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
21 vinyl pressings of Tightrope Ride are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1971 and 1972.
The earliest pressings are from 1971, in US, UK, Philippines, Canada and more. One of them is Elektra EKS-45757, released November 1971.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use EKS-45757, EKS 610, K 12036, E-45757) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, EKS-45757-A-SP1 [Stamped: Artisan logo] 11-4-71 and EKS-45757-B-SP1 [Stamped: Artisan logo] 11-4-71. 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.
