Vinyl pressings
by Peter Maffay · 1979
Steppenwolf was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
3 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year. 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.
6.23 777-01-1 Manufactured in Germany S-I 0Runout A, variant 1
6.23 777-01-2/1 Manufactured in Germany S-IRunout B, variant 1
6.23 777-01-1/1 S-I 0Runout A, variant 2
6.23 777-01-2/3 Manufactured in Germany S-IRunout B, variant 2
LZ-B-II C-6.23777-01-1/6Runout side A
LZ-B-II C-6.23777-01-2/4Runout side B
6, 23 777-01-1/4 Manufactured in Germany H1Runout side A, variant 1
6, 23 777-01-2/2 Manufactured in Germany S-IIRunout side B, variant 1
6, 23 777-01-1/4 H1 Manufactured in GermanyRunout side A, variant 2
6, 23 777-01-2/3 Manufactured in Germany S-IRunout side B, variant 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | German Democratic Republic (GDR) | Not On Label 6.23777LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Stereo · Test pressing |
| 1979 | Germany | Telefunken 6.23777 AT / Telefunken 6.23 777First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1979 | Germany | Telefunken 34 997 7LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition · Club edition |
| 1979 | Germany | Telefunken 6.23777 BLLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1979 | Germany | Telefunken 27 136-1First yearLP | LP |
| 1979 | Germany | Telefunken 6.23777First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Germany | Telefunken 6.23777 AT / Telefunken 6.23 777LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Germany | Sony Music 19075832811LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | Telefunken 6.23777 / Telefunken 6.23777 BLLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Telefunken 6.23777LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | Telefunken 244 109-1 / Telefunken 6.23777 BLLP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
11 vinyl pressings of Steppenwolf are listed here, from 2 countries, released between 1979 and 2018.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in Germany. One of them is Telefunken 6.23777 AT.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 6.23777 AT, 27 136-1, 6.23777) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 6.23 777-01-1 Manufactured in Germany S-I 0 and 6.23 777-01-2/1 Manufactured in Germany S-I. 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.
