Vinyl pressings
by Steppenwolf · 1973
16 Greatest Hits was first pressed on vinyl in 1973. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 14 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.
DSX-50135-A X PA Side Etch exc ᴘ stamp, variant 1
DSX-50135-B PB Side Etch exc ᴘ stamp, variant 1
DSX-50135-A X PA Side Etch exc ᴘ stamp, variant 2
DSX-50135-B X A5 PB Side Etch exc ᴘ and A5 stamp, variant 2
T1 DSX-50135-A-1Side A etched
T1 DSX-50135-B-1Side B etched
(DSX-50135-A)Side A label
(DSX-50135-B)Side B label
S \ DSX-50135-A - 1BSide A runout, etched
\ DSX-50135-B 1BSide B runout, etched
DSX-50135-ASide A label
DSX-50135-BSide B label
DSX 50135-ARunout Side A
DSX 50135-BRunout Side B
DS-50135-A ③ A 3 ITRunout Side A
DS-50135-B ① EW o TIRunout Side B
DS-50135-ASide A Label
DS-50135-BSide B Label
0 SW 1 94948 R1 #1Runout side A
0 SW 2 94948 R2 #1Runout side B
SW 1-94948Label side A
SW 2-94948Label 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Brazil | Probe DXS-50135First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Brazil | Probe SPOL-15.046First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Canada | ABC/Dunhill Records DSX-50135First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Denmark | Probe 5C 054-94219 / Probe 6C 054-94219First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Ecuador | Probe LP-7112First yearLP, Compilation, Promo · Promo | LP, Compilation, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Ecuador | Probe LP-7112First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | France | Probe 2C 064-94 219First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Germany | Probe 1C 062-94 219First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Guatemala | ABC Records DSX-50135First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | Netherlands | Probe 5C 054-94219First yearLP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| 1973 | New Zealand | Probe PROLP 8040First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | South Africa | ABC Records ABCL 0216First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | South Africa | ABC Records SJSL 184First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | Sweden | Probe 4E 054-94219First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1973 | UK | Probe SPB 1071 / Probe OC 062 94219First yearLP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37050 / MCA Records MAB 4011LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37050LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MAB 4011LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37050LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37050LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-37050LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | Italy | MCA Records MCMP 31013LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Compilation, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37049LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-1599LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1980 | US | MCA Coral MCA-37049LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA 37049LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37050LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Coral MCA-37049 / MCA Coral MCA 37049LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| 1980 | US | MCA Records MCA-37049LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| 1981 | US | MCA Records MCA 37049LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Benelux | ABC Records 27 136 ETLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Canada | ABC Records 9022-4011LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | Canada | ABC Dunhill DSX-50135LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | ABC Records 68 301 / ABC Records 68.301LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Germany | ABC Records 27 365 ETLP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Greece | ABC Records ABCD 4011 / ABC Records ABCD - 4011LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Israel | ABC Records ABCL 5028LP, Compilation, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Stereo |
| ? | Italy | MCA Records MCMP 31013LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | Netherlands | Probe 5C054-94219 / ABC Records 5C 054-94219LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | Scandinavia | MCA Records DSX-50135LP, Compilation | LP, Compilation |
| ? | South Korea | Yegrin PM 61LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Compilation, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| ? | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5028LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | UK | ABC Records ABCL 5028 / ABC Records DSX 50135LP, Compilation, Reissue | LP, Compilation, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCM 5002LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Compilation, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | US | ABC Dunhill DSX-50135LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition | LP, Compilation, Club Edition · Club edition |
91 vinyl pressings of 16 Greatest Hits are listed here, from 23 countries, released between 1973 and 1987.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in US, UK, Brazil, Canada and more. One of them is Dunhill DSX-50135, released January 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use DSX-50135, SPB 1071, DXS-50135, SPOL-15.046) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, DSX-50135-A X P and DSX-50135-B P. 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.
