Vinyl pressings
by Clarence Clemons · 1985
You're A Friend Of Mine was first pressed on vinyl in 1985. 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 1985, the album's first year, in 9 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.
P ZSS-176694-2A STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
STERLING P ZSS-176695-1BB-Side Runout Etching, variant 1
P ZSS-176694-2A STERLINGA-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
P (P) ZSS-176695-1D STERLINGB-Side Runout Etching, variant 2
STERLING ZSS-174694-2C D G1 B1A-Side Runout Etching
STERLING P ZSS-174695-1B XG D A2B-Side Runout Etching
ZSS 174694A Side Label
ZSS 174695B Side Label
P (p) ZSS 174694-2FRunout, Side A, variant 1
P ZSS 174695-1B STERLINGRunout, Side B, variant 1
P (p) ZSS 174694-1E STERLINGRunout, Side A, variant 2
P ZSS 174695-1B STERLINGRunout, Side B, variant 2
ZSS-176694-2C G1 B2 STERLINGRunout A
ZSS-176695-1C D G2 C2Runout B
ZSS 174694Label A
ZSS 174695Label B
STERLINGⒽ P ZSS-174694-2BBoth runout etchings
ZSS 174694Labels
STERLINGⒽ P ZSS-174694-2BBoth runout etchings
ZSS 174694Labels
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA 3365First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA 3365First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Australia | CBS BA 3365First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Columbia 38-05660First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS A12·6681 / CBS A 12.6681First year12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBSA 6681 / CBS A-6681First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Europe | CBS CBSA 6681 / CBS A-6681First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07SP931 / CBS/Sony 07SP 931First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/SONY 07SP931First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | CBS/Sony 07 SP 931First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Portugal | CBS CBS A 6681First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5877First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Spain | CBS CBS A 6681First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1985 | Spain | CBS A-6681First year7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 7", Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | UK | CBS TA 6681 / CBS TA6681First year12", 45 RPM | 12", 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Columbia 13-739377", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Reissue |
| ? | US | Columbia 13-739377", 45 RPM, Single, Repress | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress |
26 vinyl pressings of You're A Friend Of Mine are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1985 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Columbia 38-05660.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 38-05660, CAS 2200, TA 6681, A 6681) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, P ZSS-176694-2A STERLING and STERLING P ZSS-176695-1B. 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.
