Vinyl pressings
by Keith Jarrett · 1977
Staircase was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. 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 1977, 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.
ECM-2-1090-AS-CP-1 MASTERDISK RLSide A runout, variant 1
ECM-2-1090-BS-CP1 MASTERDISK RLSide B runout, variant 1
ECM-2-1090-CS-CP2 MASTERDISKRLSide C runout, variant 1
ECM-2-1090-DS-CP4 MASTERDISK RLSide D runout, variant 1
ECM-2-1090-AS-CP-1 RLSide A Etched
ECM-2-1090-BS-CP1 RLSide B Etched
ECM-2-1090-CS-CP2 RLSide C Etched
ECM-2-1090-DS-CP4 RLSide D Etched
153 2301 090 = 4 S1 320 A N 1AVariant 1, Side A runout
196 2301 090 = 3 S2 320 A O 2Variant 1, Side B runout
161 2301 091 = 4 S1 320 A C 2Variant 1, Side C runout
196 2301 091 = 2 S2 320 A IIVariant 1, Side D runout
2301 090 = 4 S1 320 X 2 153Side A runout, variant 1
2301 091 = 3 S2 320 A F 1 196Side B runout, variant 1
2301 091 = 4 S1 320 1 S 161Side C runout, variant 1
2301 091 = 2 S2 320 1A R 196Side D runout, variant 1
ECM-2-1090-AS-CP-1 RLSide 1 Etched
ECM-2-1090-BS-CP1 RLSide 2 Etched
ECM-2-1090-CS-CP2 RLSide 3 Etched
ECM-2-1090-DS-CP4 RLSide 4 Etched
ECM-2-1090-ASSide 1 Etched
ECM-2-1090-BSSide 2 Etched
ECM-2-1090-CSSide 3 Etched
ECM-2-1090-DSSide 4 Etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Canada | ECM Records ECM 2-1090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | ECM Records ECM 2-1090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1090/91LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1977 | Japan | ECM Records PA-7171~72First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | ECM Records ECM-2-1090 / ECM Records 2625 033First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | US | ECM Records ECM 2-1090First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1090/91 / ECM Records 2641 090First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | ECM Records ECM 1090/91First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1979 | US | ECM Records ECM-2-1090LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Brazil | ECM Records 58.002/3 / ECM Records ECM 1090/91LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Brazil | ECM Records 2641 090LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1983 | Japan | ECM Records 38MJ 3299/300LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of Staircase are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1977 and 1983.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in US, Germany, Canada, Japan. One of them is ECM Records ECM-2-1090.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ECM-2-1090, ECM 2-1090, ECM 1090/91, PA-7171~72) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, ECM-2-1090-AS-CP-1 MASTERDISK RL and ECM-2-1090-BS-CP1 MASTERDISK RL. 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.
