Vinyl pressings
by Chick Corea · 1978
Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
13 pressings came out in 1978, the album's first year, in 7 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.
PD-1-6160 AS PRC-1-1-11 PRCSide A etching, variant 1
PD-1-6160 BS PRC-1-1-111 PRCSide B etching, variant 1
PD-1-6160 AS PRC-1-1-111 PRCSide A etching, variant 2
PD-1-6160 BS PRC-1-1-111 PRCSide B etching, variant 2
PD-1-6160 AS MW MR (combined in circle) △23585 <2>Side 1 runout
PD-1-6160 BS MW MR (combined in circle) △23585-X (1)Side 2 runout
PD-1-6160-AS 2391 366Side 1 label
PD-1-6160-BS 2391 366Side 2 label
A-3 [Infinity symbol] PD-1-6160 AS KRunout side A
A-4 [Infinity symbol] PD-1-6160 BS KRunout side B
PD-1-6160 AS KRunout A, etched - variant 1
PD-1-6160 BS KRunout B, etched - variant 1
A - "the sign of infinity" one PD-1-6160 AS KRunout A, etched - variant 2
two A "the sign of infinity" PD-1-6160 BS KRunout B, etched - variant 2
PD-1-6160 AS CP1 PSide 1 Etched P Stamped
PD-1-6160 BS CP-2 ISide 2 Etched I Stamped
PD‑1‑6160‑AS CP1Runout A, variant 2
PD‑1‑6160‑BS CP1 ○Runout B, variant 2
P PD-1-6160 ASCPSide A runout, etched
P PD-1-6160 BS CP1Side B runout, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6160First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2391 366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Polydor 2391 366LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2391 366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Germany | Polydor 2391 366LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Test Pressing · Test pressing, Promo |
| 1978 | Israel | Polydor 2391366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1191First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1191First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | Malaysia | Polydor 2391 366First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6160 / Polydor 2391 366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6160First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6160First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6160 / Polydor 2391 366First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6160First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | US | Polydor PD-1-6160First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Greece | Polydor 2391 366LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1980 | Greece | Polydor 2391 366LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1980 | Australia | World Record Club R-08089LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1981 | Japan | Polydor 18MJ 9001LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited |
| 1984 | Spain | Polydor 23 91 366LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Polydor 2391 366LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | Canada | Polydor PD-1-6160LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2391 366LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor 2391 366LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| ? | France | Polydor PD-1-6160LP | LP |
31 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1978 and 1984.
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, Canada, France, Germany and more. One of them is Polydor PD-1-6160.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PD-1-6160, 2391 366, 2391366, MPF 1191) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PD-1-6160 AS PRC-1-1-11 PRC and PD-1-6160 BS PRC-1-1-111 PRC. 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.
