US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1Warner Bros. Records 1-23834
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
B-17926-SH1 SLM △4047 1-23884-A-SH-1A Side Etched
B-17927-SH1 SLM △4047-X 1-23834-B SH-1B Side Etched
Vinyl pressings
Friends
by Larry Carlton · 1983
20 pressings10 countriesFusionJazz-RockJazz
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.
How to spot a first pressing of Friends
20 pressings came out in 1983, the album's first year, in 10 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.
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1Warner Bros. Records 1-23834
- Format
- LP, Album · Allied Pressing
- Runout / matrix
1-23884-A-SH2 B-17926-SH-2 SLM △4047 1-1Side A Runout, variant 1
1-23884-B-SH2 B-17926-SH2 SLM △4047-X 1-1Side B Runout, variant 1
1-23834-A-SH1 ɑ B-17926-SH1 SLM △4047 1-1Side A Runout, variant 2
1-23834-B-SH1 ɑ B-17927-SH1 SLM △4047-X 1-1Side B Runout, variant 2
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1Warner Bros. Records 1-23834
- Format
- LP, Album · Allied Pressing
- Runout / matrix
[Allied 'ɑ' logo]Side A & B Stamped
1-23834-A-SH2 B- ̶1̶7̶9̶2̶6̶-SH2 ---◁ SLM △4047 1-1Side A Runout
1-23834-B-SH2 #2 B-17927-SH2 ---◁ SLM △4047-X 1-3Side B Runout
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1
- Format
- LP, Album · Allied Pressing
- Runout / matrix
[Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-17926-SH1 SLM △4047 1-1 1-23834-A-SH1A Side etched except Allied logo stamp
[Allied 'ɑ' logo] B-17927-SH2 SLM JTS 88-7133 △4047-X 1-23834-B-SH2B Side etched except Allied logo stamp
1-23834Label A and B
US
1983- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1Warner Bros. Records 1-23834
- Format
- LP, Album, Promo · Allied Pressing
- Runout / matrix
1-23884-A-SH2 B-17926-SH-2 SLM △4047 1-1Side A Runout, variant 1
1-23884-B-SH2 B-17926-SH2 SLM △4047-X 1-1Side B Runout, variant 1
1-23834-A-SH1 ɑ B-17926-SH1 SLM △4047 1-1Side A Runout, variant 2
1-23834-B-SH1 ɑ B-17927-SH1 SLM △4047-X 1-1Side B Runout, variant 2
Europe
May 13, 1983- Label and catalog number
- Warner Bros. Records 92-3834-1
- Format
- LP, Album, Stereo
- Runout / matrix
R/S Alsdorf 923834-1 A RME 2Runout Side A, stamped ['RME 2' etched]
R/S Alsdorf 923834-1 B q2Runout Side B, stamped ['q2' etched]
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 20 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1980s20 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Australia | Warner Bros. Records 23834-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 38341First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Canada | Warner Bros. Records 92 38341First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 92-3834-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 92-3834-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Europe | Warner Bros. Records 92-3834-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | France | Warner Bros. Records 92-3834-1First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1983 | Italy | Warner Bros. Records 92-3834-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Japan | Warner Bros. Records P-11353First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Netherlands | Warner Bros. Records 92-3834-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | Scandinavia | Warner Bros. Records 92-3834-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | South Korea | Warner Bros. Records 1-23834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-23834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1983 | US | Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1 / Warner Bros. Records 1-23834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
Tracklist
- A1Breaking Ground4:26
- A2South Town5:25
- A3Tequila4:09
- A4Blues For T.J.5:19
- B1Song In The 5th Grade5:23
- B2Crusin'5:19
- B3L.A., N.Y.4:55
- B4Friends5:18
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of Friends are there?
20 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 10 countries.
When was Friends first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1983, in US, Europe, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Warner Bros. Records 9 23834-1.
How do I tell if my copy of Friends is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 9 23834-1, 92-3834-1, 23834-1, 92 38341) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, B-17926-SH1 SLM △4047 1-23884-A-SH-1 and B-17927-SH1 SLM △4047-X 1-23834-B SH-1. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is Friends on vinyl worth?
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.
