Vinyl pressings
by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts · 1983
Fake Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1983. 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 1983, 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.
01-3615-1A-1Side A, runout, stamped, variant 1
01-3615-1B-1Side B, runout, stamped, variant 1
01-3615-1A-1 A NLSide A, runout, stamped, variant 2
01-3615-1B-1 A NLSide B, runout, stamped, variant 2
MC-14410 A-MD6 ◈-P-◈ MASTERDISKA Side Runout variant 1
MLCL-MC13358-CBS5 ◈-P-◈B Side Runout variant 1
MCA-14410 A-MD4 ◈-P-◈ MASTERDISKA Side Runout, etched (MASTERDISK stamped) variant 2
MLCL MC13358-CBS6 ◈-P-◈B Side Runout etched variant 2
MC-14410 MASTERDISKA Side
MLCL-MC13358-CBS3B Side
MC-14410 A-MD3 MASTERDISK ⧈-G-⧈Side A runout, var. 1
MLCL MC14358-CBS2 ⧈-G-⧈Side B runout, var. 1
A - 3615 - A1Etched A Side
A - 3615 - B1 TYEtched B-Side
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Liberation Records LS 1030First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1983 | Canada | Epic CDN-111First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | Europe | Epic A-3615 / Epic EPCA 3615First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | Japan | WEA P-1783First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | Japan | WEA P-1783First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1983 | New Zealand | Liberation Records LS 1030First year7", Stereo | 7", Stereo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Smash Records TAR 18First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Smash Records TAR 18First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | South Africa | CBS SSC 5510 / Blackheart Records SSC 5510First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1983 | UK | Blackheart Records TA 3615 / Epic TA 3615First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | UK | Epic A 3615First year7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1983 | UK | Epic A3615First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1983 | US | Blackheart Records L33-1117First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1983 | US | MCA Records MCA-522567", Single, Repress | 7", Single, Repress |
| 1983 | US | Blackheart Records L33 1117First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
19 vinyl pressings of Fake Friends are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in Europe, US, UK, Australia and more. One of them is Epic A-3615.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use A-3615, MCA-52240, TA 3615, A3615) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 01-3615-1A-1 and 01-3615-1B-1. 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.
