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.
10 pressings came out in 1982, the album's first year, in 4 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.
CHUM 1 (T) A* F/I (on side) W/LSide A runout groove hand etched
STRAWBERRYSide A runout groove machine stamped
CHUM 1 (T) B* W/LSide B runout groove hand etched
CHUM 1 (T) A*Side A label
CHUM 1 A1A-side run-out, hand-etched
CHUM 1 B1B-side run-out, hand-etched
STRAWBERRYA&B-side run-outs, hand-etched
W-LA&B-side run-outs, hand-etched
CHUM 1T A1 F/2 W-LRunout, A-side, etched
CHUM 1T B1 W-LRunout, B-side, etched
STRAWBERRYRunout, A & B-side, stamped
CHUM 1 (T) A*Label, A-side
CHUM 1 A1 F1 W-L W-5 STRAWBERRYSide A runout etched / stamped, variant 1
CHUM 1 B1 F1 W-L W-19Side B runout etched / stamped, variant 1
CHUM 1 A2 F1 W-L STRAWBERRYSide A runout etched / stamped, variant 2
CHUM1 B1 F1 W-L W-48 STRAWBERRYSide B runout etched / stamped, variant 2
CHUM 1 A1A-side run-out, hand-etched
CHUM 1 B1B-side run-out, hand-etched
STRAWBERRYA&B-side run-outs, hand-etched
W-LA&B-side run-outs, hand-etched
CHUM 1 A2 F1 W-L W-4 STRAWBERRYSide A runout etched / stamped, variant 1
CHUM 1 B1 F1 W-L W-27 STRAWBERRYSide B runout etched / stamped, variant 1
CHUM 1A*Side A label
CHUM 1B*Side B label
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 | Ireland | Solar CHUM 1First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | South Africa | Elektra EKS 716First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1982 | UK | Solar CHUM 1T / Solar CHUM 1 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Stereo | 12", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Solar CHUM 1 / Solar 969922-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Solar CHUM 1T / Solar CHUM 1 (T)First year12", 45 RPM, Single | 12", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1982 | UK | Solar CHUM 1 / Solar 969922-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Solar CHUM 1 / Solar 969922-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 1982 | UK | Solar CHUM 1 / Solar 969922-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | UK | Solar CHUM 1 / Solar 969922-7First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1982 | Zimbabwe | Elektra EKS 716First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
10 vinyl pressings of Friends are listed here, from 4 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in UK, Ireland, South Africa, Zimbabwe. One of them is Solar CHUM 1T.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use CHUM 1T, CHUM 1, EKS 716) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, CHUM 1 (T) A* F/I (on side) W/L and STRAWBERRY. 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.
