Vinyl pressings
by Joni Mitchell · 1985
Good Friends 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.
13 pressings came out in 1985, the album's first year, in 7 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.
7-28840 DCA-3633-S-SH1 Q R-15040-SH1 SLM ∆10971 Precision SM 1-1Runout A
7-28840 DCA-3636-S-SH1 Q R-15041-SH1 SLM Precision SM ∆10972 1-1Runout B
DCA 3633SLabel A
DCA 3636SLabel B
1-1 SLMΔ 10857 PRO-A1-2386-SH2 # B-22023-SH2 Precision SMRunout, Side A, etched - # marks 'stamped balloon'
1-1 SLMΔ 10857-X PRO-A2-2386-SH 2 # B-22024-SH2 Precision SMRunout, Side B, etched - # marks 'stamped balloon'
A 6740-A-1 ΛRunout, side A, etched, "Λ" is stamped
A 6740-B-1 ΛRunout, side B, etched, "Λ" is stamped
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 | Geffen Records GEF 28840First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Australia | Geffen Records GEF 28840First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records 9 28840-7First year7" | 7" |
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 88407First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | Canada | Geffen Records 92 88407First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | Netherlands | Geffen Records GEFA 6740 / Geffen Records A-6740First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1985 | New Zealand | Geffen Records GEF 28840First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1985 | UK | Geffen Records A 6740First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1985 | US | Geffen Records PRO-A-2386First year12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Geffen Records 7-28840First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1985 | US | Geffen Records 7-28840First year7", Single, Styrene, Stereo | 7", Single, Styrene, Stereo |
| 1985 | Japan | Geffen Records 07SP 929First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1985 | Japan | Geffen Records 07SP 929 / Geffen Records 07SP 929(GF)First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
13 vinyl pressings of Good Friends are listed here, from 7 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1985, in US, UK, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Geffen Records 7-28840.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 7-28840, PRO-A-2386, A 6740, 07SP 929) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 7-28840 DCA-3633-S-SH1 Q R-15040-SH1 SLM ∆10971 Precision SM 1-1 and 7-28840 DCA-3636-S-SH1 Q R-15041-SH1 SLM Precision SM ∆10972 1-1. 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.
