Vinyl pressings
by Joachim Witt · 1981
Goldener Reiter was first pressed on vinyl in 1981. 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 1981, the album's first year, in 3 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.
WEA 18777 A5XX H1Runout side A, variant 1
R / S Alsdorf 18777 B X PFRunout side B, variant 1
WEA 18777 A5X H1Runout side A, variant 2
R / S Alsdorf 18777 B xx PFRunout side B, variant 2
WEA 28 227 A2 H1Runout side A, etched, variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 28277 B-3 -28227 H1Runout side B, stamped, '28277' scratched out, '-28227 H1' etched], variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 28277 A-4 II • STRAWBERRY (G) •Runout side A, stamped, 'II' scratched, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 28277 B-3X H1 28277 B-3 39Runout side B, stamped, 'H1' etched, '39' scratched, variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 18777 AL/Runout side A Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 18777 B PFRunout side B Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 18777 A4Runout side A Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 18777 B PFRunout side B Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 28277 A-4 STRAWBERRY (C)Runout Side A
R/S Alsdorf 28277 B3 28227 B - 3Runout Side B
81/512-DALabel Side A
80/536-01DBLabel Side B
WEA 18 777 A5 H1Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 18777 B PFRunout side B
81/512-ALabel side A
80/536-06BLabel side B
R/S Alsdorf 18777 A4Runout side A
R/S Alsdorf 18777 B PFRunout 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Netherlands | WEA WEA 18 777First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1981 | Austria | WEA WEA 18 777First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1981 | Germany | WEA WEA 18 777First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | WEA WEA 28227 / WEA WEA 28 227First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| 1981 | Germany | WEA WEA 18 777First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1981 | Germany | WEA WEA 28227 / WEA WEA 28 227First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1981 | Germany | WEA WEA 18 777First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | WEA 247 148-77", 45 RPM, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Germany | WEA 9031-72644-012", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| 1990 | Germany | WEA 9031-72643-77", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1994 | Germany | WEA PRO 91012", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
11 vinyl pressings of Goldener Reiter are listed here, from 3 countries, released between 1981 and 1994.
The earliest pressings are from 1981, in Germany, Austria, Netherlands. One of them is WEA WEA 18 777, released May 1981.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use WEA 18 777, WEA 28227) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, WEA 18777 A5XX H1 and R / S Alsdorf 18777 B X PF. 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.
