Vinyl pressings
by Tubeway Army · 1979
Are 'Friends' Electric? was first pressed on vinyl in 1979. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
34 pressings came out in 1979, the album's first year, in 11 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.
BEG 18.P. A1 STRAWBERRY. EA-Side, variant 1
BEG 18.P. B1 D M STRAWBERRY.B-Side, variant 1
BEG 18.P. A1 STRAWBERRY. I DA-Side, variant 2
BEG 18.P. B1 I STRAWBERRY.B-Side, variant 2
BEG 18 A1 D STRAWBERRYRunout side A, etched, variant 1
BEG 18 B1 STRAWBERRY DRunout side B, etched, variant 1
BEG 18 A1 STRAWBERRY. - D BIRunout side A, etched, variant 2
BEG 18 B1 STRAWBERRY. - D ATRunout side B, etched, variant 2
BEG 18 A1 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, etched, variant 1
BEG 18 B2 W-L STRAWBERRYSide B runout, etched, variant 1
BEG 18 A1 STRAWBERRYSide A runout, etched, variant 2
S-9 BEG 18 B1 STRAWBERRYSide B runout, etched, variant 2
BEG 18.P. A1 STRAWBERRY I I-IA-Side etched
BEG 18.P. B1 I O STRAWBERRYB-Side etched
BEG 18 A1 STRAWBERRYVariant 1, A-side
BEG 18 B1 STRAWBERRYVariant 1, B-side
BEG 18 A1 STRAWBERRYVariant 2, A-side
BEG 18 B2 W-L STRAWBERRYVariant 2, B-side
BEG 18 P A1 STRAWBERRYVariant 1 - A-Side etchings
BEG 18 P B1 STRAWBERRYVariant 1 - B-Side etchings
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Australia | Atlantic 100094First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Australia | Atlantic 100094First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Beggars Banquet BEG 18First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Canada | Beggars Banquet BEG 18First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Canada | Beggars Banquet BEG 18First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 126.501First year12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM | 12", Maxi-Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Germany | Beggars Banquet INT 111.520First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Italy | Atlantic K 11352First year7", Promo · Promo | 7", Promo · Promo |
| 1979 | Italy | Atlantic K 11352 / Beggars Banquet K 11352First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.681 / CNR 144.681First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.681First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.681First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.681First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | Netherlands | Beggars Banquet 144.681First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1979 | New Zealand | Atlantic BEG 18First year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | US | Specialty Records DMD 23512", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing | 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single Sided, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Rhodesia | Warner Bros. Records WBS 3237", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
| ? | UK | Beggars Banquet BEG 187", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
37 vinyl pressings of Are 'Friends' Electric? are listed here, from 12 countries, released between 1979 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1979, in UK, US, Japan, Australia and more. One of them is Beggars Banquet BEG 18p, released May 4, 1979.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use BEG 18p, BEG 18, 7206, BEG 18 P) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, BEG 18.P. A1 STRAWBERRY. E and BEG 18.P. B1 D M 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.
