Vinyl pressings
by Gloria Loring · 1986
Friends & Lovers was first pressed on vinyl in 1986. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
25 pressings came out in 1986, the album's first year, in 15 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.
F/W CSB ♪♪ ZS4 06122-3-1C - 1̷D̷ G1Runout, Side A, Stamped, Variant 1
ZS4 06122-4-1C 1̷D̷ G1Runout, Side B, Stamped, Variant 1
F/W CSB ♪♪ ZS4 06122-3-1C - 1̷D̷ G1 ERunout, Side A, Etched, Variant 2
ZS4 06122-4-1C 1̷D̷ E G1Runout, Side B, Etched, Variant 2
F/W CSB ♪♪ ZS4 06122-3-1C - 1̷D̷ G1Runout side A, etched
PG AP ZS4 06122-4-1A 1̷BRunout side B, etched
ZS4 06122-3Label side A
ZS4 06122-4Label side B
ZS4 06122-3-1A - ̶1̶B̶ ̶ ⋀ F/W CSB ♪♪ P APRunout A
ZS4 06122-4-1A ̶1̶B̶ ̶ ⋀ P APRunout B
ZS4 06122-3Label A
ZS4 06122-4Label B
F/W CSB♪♪ P AP ZS4 06122-3-1A-1̶B̶Runouts (Both Sides)
AA-AF ZS4 06122-3Labels
CART-400-A1 MT. DAMONTSide A runout
CART-400-B1 MT. DAMONTSide B runout
CART 400-ASide A label
CART 400-BSide B 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Australia | Epic ES 1168First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Australia | Carrere 104594First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Canada | Epic ZS4 06122 / Carrere ZS4 06122First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Carrere CAR-112-0121First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1986 | Ecuador | Carrere CAR-112-0121First year7", Single, Stereo | 7", Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | Europe | Epic EPC 650154 7First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | France | Carrere 14071First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Germany | Carrere CAR 6.14665First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Italy | Carrere CAR 72008First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Jamaica | Columbia ZS4 06122First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1986 | Jamaica | Columbia ZS4 06122First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Japan | Carrere K07S-7082First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1986 | New Zealand | Epic ES 1168First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1986 | Philippines | Carrere CA-720First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1986 | Portugal | Carrere 503428First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Friends & Lovers are listed here, from 15 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1986, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Carrere ZS4-06122.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use ZS4-06122, ZS8 69129, ZS4 06122, CART 400) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, F/W CSB ♪♪ ZS4 06122-3-1C - 1̷D̷ G1 and ZS4 06122-4-1C 1̷D̷ G1. 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.
