Vinyl pressings
by The Pretty Things · 1972
Freeway Madness was first pressed on vinyl in 1972. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
6 pressings came out in 1972, 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.
K 46190 A1 RAYS ⋀Runout side A variant 1
K 46190 B1 ⋀ ()Runout side B variant 1
K 46190 A1 ⋀ 7 RAYSRunout side A variant 2
K 46190 B1 ⋀ 3Runout side B variant 2
MX 1699179-BStamped
MX 169180Stamped
BS2680-1
BS2680-2
WEA 46190-A Manufactured in Germany PFRunout side A
WEA 46190-B Manufactured in Germany PFRunout side B
46 190-ALabel side A
46 190-BLabel side B
WEA 46190-A Manufactured in Germany PFRunout side A
WEA 46190-B Manufactured in Germany PFRunout side B
(46 190-A)Label side A
(46 190-B)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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records BS-2680First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 190 / Warner Bros. Records K 46 190First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 190 / Warner Bros. Records K 46 190First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1972 | Germany | Warner Bros. Records WB 46 190First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | New Zealand | Warner Bros. Records Inc. WBS 2680First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1972 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 46190 / Warner Bros. Records K46190First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1972 | UK | Warner Bros. Records K 46190LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records BS 2680LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2680LP, Promo · Promo | LP, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2680LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2680LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | US | Warner Bros. Records BS 2680LP, Album | LP, Album |
12 vinyl pressings of Freeway Madness are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1972 and 1973.
The earliest pressings are from 1972, in UK, Australia, Germany, New Zealand. One of them is Warner Bros. Records K 46190, released November 1972.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use K 46190, BS-2680, WB 46 190, WBS 2680) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, K 46190 A1 RAYS ⋀ and K 46190 B1 ⋀ (). 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.
