Vinyl pressings
by Eddie Kendricks · 1976
He's A Friend was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
18 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 12 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.
T6-343S1-2553-S-RE1-03-(B) # 13 F/W ΔM 11Side A runout (Variant 1)
T6-343S1-2554-S-RE1-03(B) # 13 11 F/W ΔMSide B runout (Variant 1)
T6-343S1-2553-03#13 (A) F/W ΔM 11Side A runout (etched) (Variant 2)
T6-343S1-2554-S-03 #13 (A) F/W ΔM 11Side B runout (etched) (Variant 2)
2553-SA-side label
2554-SB-side label
T6-343S1-2553-S ･ /ARun-out area A-side [etched]
T6-343S1-2554-S IARun-out area B-side [etched]
2553-SLabel A-side
2554-SLabel B-side
T6-343S1-2553-S-REI-03-(B) #12 F/W ΔMSide A runout variant 1
T6-343S1-2554-S-REI-03-(B) #12 F/W ΔMSide B runout variant 1
T6-343S1-2553-S-03 #12 (B) F/W ΔMSide A runout variant 2
T6-343S1-2554-S-03 #12 (B) F/W ΔMSide B runout variant 2
T6-343S1-2553-S-03 (B) F/W ΔMRunout side A etched
T6-343S1-2554-S-03 (B) F/W ΔMRunout side B etched
HRunout side A&B stamped
2553-SA-side label
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Tamla Motown STMLO-10133First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Brazil | Tamla T6-343 / Top Tape T6-343First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Canada | Motown T-343P1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | France | Tamla Motown 2C 066-97.371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Germany | Tamla Motown 1 C 062-97 371First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Jamaica | Tamla Motown T6-343S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWX-6276 / Tamla Motown SMOT-6111First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | Japan | Tamla Motown SWX-6276 / Tamla Motown SMOT-6111First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Tamla Motown 5C 062-97371 / Tamla Motown 5C 062-97 371First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | Netherlands | Tamla T6-343S1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1976 | Spain | Tamla Motown S-32821First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | UK | Tamla Motown STML 12016First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1976 | US | Tamla T6-343S1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1976 | US | Tamla T6-343S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1976 | US | Tamla T6 343S1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-196V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 1981 | US | Motown M5-196V1LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
22 vinyl pressings of He's A Friend are listed here, from 13 countries, released between 1976 and 1981.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Tamla T6-343S1.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use T6-343S1, T6 343S1, STML 12016, STMLO-10133) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, T6-343S1-2553-S-RE1-03-(B) # 13 F/W ΔM 11 and T6-343S1-2554-S-RE1-03(B) # 13 11 F/W ΔM. 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.
