Vinyl pressings
by Jody Watley · 1989
Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1989. 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 1989, 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.
MCA 9028 FDS-4 ◈-P-◈Variant 1, A-side runout
MCA-8955-FDS-3 ◈-P-◈Variant 1, B-side runout
MCA 9028 FDS-4 ◈-P-◈ IVariant 2, A-side runout
MCA-8955-FDS-3 ◈-P-◈ IVariant 2, B-side runout
MC29014E FDS-1 回-G-回A-Side Runout Etching
MC29015E FDS-1 回-G-回B-Side Runout Etching
MC 29014ELabel Side A
MC 29015ELabel Side B
MCA 9028 FDS-4Runout side A, variant 1
MCA-8955-FDS-1Runout side B, variant 1
MCA 9028 FDS-6 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side A, variant 2
MCA-8955-FDS-1 ⧈-G-⧈Runout side B, variant 2
MC29014E FDS-3 ◈-P-◈A-Side Runout Etching
MC29015E FDS-3 ◈-P-◈B-Side Runout Etching
MC29014ELabel Side A
MC29015ELabel Side B
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 0-23956First year12" | 12" |
| 1989 | Australia | MCA Records 7-53660First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1989 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-23956First year12", Single | 12", Single |
| 1989 | Canada | MCA Records MCA-53660First year7" | 7" |
| 1989 | Europe | MCA Records 257 535-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | Germany | MCA Records 257 536-0First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | Japan | MCA Records PRS-2059First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Japan | MCA Records MR-085 / MCA Records MCA-23956First year12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM | 12", Single, 33 ⅓ RPM |
| 1989 | South Africa | MCA Records WEA PRO 343First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | Spain | MCA Records 1.108First year7", Single, Promo · Promo | 7", Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAT 1352First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAX 1352First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records WMCAT 1352First year12", Promo · Promo | 12", Promo · Promo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCA 1352First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1989 | UK | MCA Records MCAR 1352 / MCA Records MCA 1352First year7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Limited Edition, Stereo · Limited |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Canada | MCA Records MCA-2395612", Single | 12", Single |
26 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 9 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1989, in US, UK, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is MCA Records MCA-23956.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use MCA-23956, MCA-53660, L33-17857, L33-17883) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, MCA 9028 FDS-4 ◈-P-◈ and MCA-8955-FDS-3 ◈-P-◈. 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.
