Vinyl pressings
by Budgie · 1973
Never Turn Your Back On A Friend 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.
14 pressings came out in 1973, the album's first year, in 11 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.
7-LNMG-277-2L H 1Side A runout stamped variant 1
7-LNMG-278-1LSide B runout stamped variant 1
7-LNMG-277-2L 1Side A runout stamped variant 2
7-LNMG-278-1L C 1Side B runout stamped variant 2
MAPS-6624-A DRSide 1 runout (etched)
MAPS-6624-B DRSide 2 runout (etched)
MAPS 6624Side A
MAPS 6624Side B
410 009 A M6 294262 2 YBARCX 74571Runout Side A
410 009 B M6 294263 2 YBARCX 74572Runout Side B
℗ 1973 7 - LNMG - 277 Manufactured in GermanySide A runout
℗ 1973 7 - LNMG - 278 Manufactured in GermanySide B runout
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 | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6624First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | MCA Records 410 009First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | France | MCA Records 410 009LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA Records MAPS 6624First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1973 | Italy | MCA Records MAPS 6624First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Lebanon | MCA Records MAPS 6624First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Malaysia | MCA Records MDKS 8010First yearLP | LP |
| 1973 | Mexico | MCA Records lpi376First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Mozambique | MCA Records MDKS 8010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | MCA Records MDKS 8010 / MCA Records MDKS.8010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | South Africa | MCA Records MDKS 8010 / MCA Records MAPS 6624LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1973 | South Africa | MCA Records MDKS.8010First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | Spain | MCA Records S-26.201First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1973 | UK | MCA Records MDKS 8010First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1973 | Germany | MCA RecordsFirst yearLP, Single Sided, White Label | LP, Single Sided, White Label |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Germany | Repertoire Records RR 2013-LH / Repertoire Records RR 2013-LLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1989 | Germany | Repertoire Records RR 2013-LH / Repertoire Records RR 2013-LLP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Sweden | Wow Records WOW 5501LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | LP, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| 2014 | UK | Noteworthy Productions NP23VLP, Album, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue |
| 2014 | UK | Noteworthy Productions NP23VLP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2017 | Europe | MCA Records 5373427LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | France | Orange 70012LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Album, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 2020 | UK | Noteworthy Productions NP23VLP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Repress, Stereo |
| 2025 | UK | Noteworthy Productions NP23VPDLP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Stereo · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6624LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Australia | MCA Records MAPS 6624LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Italy | Wow Records WOW5501LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue, Unofficial Release · Unofficial, Limited |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1855LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCL 1855LP, Album, Test Pressing, Reissue · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, Reissue · Test pressing |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCG 3513 / MCA Records 0C 064 ◦ 94981LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCG 3513 / MCA Records MDKS 8010LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | UK | MCA Records MCG 3513 / MCA Records MAPS 6624LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
41 vinyl pressings of Never Turn Your Back On A Friend are listed here, from 15 countries, released between 1973 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1973, in UK, Germany, Australia, France and more. One of them is MCA Records MDKS 8010, released June 1973.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MDKS 8010, MAPS 6624, 410 009, lpi376) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-LNMG-277-2L H 1 and 7-LNMG-278-1L. 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.
