Vinyl pressings
by Shalamar · 1982
Friends was first pressed on vinyl in 1982. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
30 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 24 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.
S-28-A SH-SP + SLM. + △ 1109 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLA-side runout [Variant 1]
S-28-B SH-SP 0-1 SM 2-1 + SP SLM + △ 1109-X Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLB-side runout [Variant 1]
S-28-A SH-SP + SLM + △ 1109 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL SP 0-1 SM 4-2A-side runout [Variant 2]
S-28-B 1SH-SP + SLM + △ 1109-X Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL SP 0-1 SM 1-3B-side runout [Variant 2]
B-16474-A2 S-28-A 2SH-AR ɑ + SLM + △1109 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout A, variant 1
B-16475-B1 S-28-B 2SH-SP (AR) ɑ + SLM + △1109-X Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout B, variant 2
B-16474-A2 S-28-A 2SH-AR ɑ + SLM + △1109 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout A, variant 2
B-16475-B1 S-28-B 1SH-SP ɑ + SLM+ △1109-X Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOLRunout B variant 2
W-1 F/3 K 52345 A1 STRAWBERRY W-LRunout side A, etched/stamped, variant 1
W-L W-42 F/4 K 52345 B1 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, etched/stamped, variant 1
W-12 F/3 K 52345 A1 STRAWBERRY W-LRunout side A, etched/stamped, variant 2
W-L W-26 F/4 K 52345 B1 STRAWBERRYRunout side B, etched/stamped, variant 2
R/ S Alsdorf 52345 A4 XXXX UK 26 STRAWBERRY (G)Runout, A-side Variant 1
R/ S Alsdorf 52345 B2 XX 103 STRAWBERRY (G)Runout, B-side Variant 1
R/S Alsdorf 52345 A4 XX GB 33 STRAWBERRY (G)Runout, A-side Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 52345 B2 X 6 STRAWBERRY (G)Runout, B-side Variant 2
R/S Alsdorf 52345 A4XX 85 STRAWBERRY (G)Side A, runout, stamped and etched
R/S Alsdorf 52345 B2 UK 86 STRAWBERRY (G)Side B, runout, stamped and etched
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Argentina | Interdisc SLIN3217First yearLP, Stereo | LP, Stereo |
| 1982 | Brazil | Solar 22.036First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Canada | Solar S-28First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Colombia | Solar 23(4631)00319First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Ecuador | Elektra LP-85012First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Solar SOL K 52 345 / Solar K 52 345First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | France | Solar SOL 52 345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Solar SOL K 52 345 / Solar SOL 52 345First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Germany | Solar SOL K 52 345 (S 28) / Solar SOL 52 345First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Greece | Solar SOL 52 345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Solar SOL 52 345LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1982 | Ireland | Elektra K 52345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Ireland | Solar K 52345First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Israel | Solar BAN 52345 / Solar SOL 52 345First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Italy | Solar SOL K 52 345 / Solar SOL 52 345First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Canada | Unidisc AGEK-2075LPLP, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Deluxe Edition, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
33 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 24 countries, released between 1982 and 2023.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Argentina, Brazil and more. One of them is Solar S-28.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use S-28, SOLAR K 52345, SOL K 52 345, SLIN3217) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, S-28-A SH-SP + SLM. + △ 1109 Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL and S-28-B SH-SP 0-1 SM 2-1 + SP SLM + △ 1109-X Wally MASTERED BY CAPITOL. 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.
