US
1978- Label and catalog number
- PVC Records PVC 7903
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
PVC-7903-A STERLING HUBSide A runout, etched exc. 'STERLING'
PVC 7903-B HUBSide B runout, etched
Vinyl pressings
3rd
by Big Star · 1978
22 pressings5 countriesPower PopPop RockArt RockRock
3rd was first pressed on vinyl in 1978. 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 3rd
6 pressings came out in 1978, 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.
UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Aura AUL 703
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AUL·703·ASide A runout etched
AUL·703·BSide B runout etched
UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Aura AUL 703
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
AUL·703·A·1 A BILBO BOPPA!Side A runout etched
AUL·703·B·1 BILBOSide B runout etched
UK
1978- Label and catalog number
- Aura AUL 703
- Format
- LP, Album, White Label
- Runout / matrix
AUL·703·ASide A runout etched
AUL·703·BSide B runout etched
Australia
1978- Label and catalog number
- Powderworks MLF 303
- Format
- LP, Album
France
1978- Label and catalog number
- Les Disques Motors 2473209Les Disques Motors 2473 209
- Format
- LP, Album
- Runout / matrix
2473 209 AA-side runout
2473 209 BB-side runout
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
All 22 vinyl pressings
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
1970s7 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | US | StaxLP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label · Test pressing |
| 1978 | Australia | Powderworks MLF 303First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | France | Les Disques Motors 2473209 / Les Disques Motors 2473 209First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Aura AUL 703First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Aura AUL 703First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1978 | UK | Aura AUL 703First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1978 | US | PVC Records PVC 7903First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
1980s5 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | US | PVC Records PVC 8933LP, Reissue, Repress | LP, Reissue, Repress |
| 1985 | US | PVC Records PVC 8933LP, Reissue, Repress, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Reissue, Repress, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1987 | UK | Dojo DOJO LP 55 / Castle Communications DOJO LP 55LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
| 1987 | UK | Dojo DOJO LP 55 / Castle Communications DOJO LP 55LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue | LP, Album, Misprint, Reissue |
| 1988 | Germany | Line Records LILP 4.00492J / Line Records LILP 4.00492LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo · Colored vinyl |
2000s2 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M142LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| 2007 | US | 4 Men With Beards 4M142LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
2010s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-1LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Album, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2011 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-1LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited | LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition · Limited |
| 2011 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-1LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 2011 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-1LP, Album, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Repress · Limited, Colored vinyl |
2020s4 pressings
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-1 / Omnivore Recordings 810075111002LP, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Limited Edition · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2022 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-1 / Omnivore Recordings 816651019120LP | LP |
| 2022 | US | Omnivore Recordings OVLP-1 / Omnivore Recordings 810075112245LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Limited Edition, Reissue · Limited, Colored vinyl |
| 2024 | US | PVC Records PVC 8933LP, Reissue, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Reissue, Repress, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
Tracklist
- A1Stroke It Noel2:04
- A2For You2:45
- A3Kizza Me2:45
- A4You Can't Have Me3:11
- A5Nightime2:53
- A6Blue Moon2:07
- A7Take Care2:48
- B1Jesus Christ2:38
- B2Femme Fatale3:32
- B3O, Dana2:35
- B4Big Black Car3:37
- B5Holocaust3:55
- B6Kanga Roo3:47
- B7Thank You Friends3:05
Questions
How many vinyl pressings of 3rd are there?
22 vinyl pressings of 3rd are listed here, from 5 countries, released between 1975 and 2024.
When was 3rd first released on vinyl?
The earliest pressings are from 1978, in US, UK, Australia, France. One of them is PVC Records PVC 7903.
How do I tell if my copy of 3rd is a first pressing?
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PVC 7903, AUL 703, MLF 303, 2473209) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PVC-7903-A STERLING HUB and PVC 7903-B HUB. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
How much is 3rd 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.
