Vinyl pressings
by Frank Zappa · 1988
Joe's Garage Acts I, II & III was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
1 pressing came out in 1988, the album's first year. 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.
FZAP 11 A-1-1-1 DDStamped record 1 side 1
FZAP 11 B-1-1- DStamped record 1 side 2
FZAP 12 A-1-1-1 D DStamped record 2 side 1
FZAP 12B-1-1- 1 D DStamped record 2 side 2
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records SWCL 74206LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1987 | US | Barking Pumpkin Records SWCL 74206LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set, Compilation, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set, Compilation, Remastered |
| 1988 | UK | EMI FZAP 1 / EMI 79 0241 1First yearBox Set, LP, Compilation | Box Set, LP, Compilation |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | UK | Zappa Records ZAPPA 20LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set | LP, Album, Reissue, Box Set |
| 1991 | Czechoslovakia | Globus International 210076-1311 / Globus International 210077/8-1312LP, Album, Remastered, LP, Album, Remastered, All Media, Compilation, Reissue · Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Remastered, LP, Album, Remastered, All Media, Compilation, Reissue · Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | Czechoslovakia | Globus International 210076-1311 / Globus International 210077/8-1312LP, Album, Promo, Remastered, LP, Album, Promo, Remastered, All Media, Compilation · Promo, Colored vinyl | LP, Album, Promo, Remastered, LP, Album, Promo, Remastered, All Media, Compilation · Promo, Colored vinyl |
| 1991 | Czechoslovakia | Globus International 210076-1311 / Globus International 210077/8-1312LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Picture disc | LP, Album, Picture Disc, Reissue, Remastered · Picture disc |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Europe | Zappa Records ZR3861-1 / Barking Pumpkin Records ZR3861-1LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered |
| 2016 | US | Zappa Records ZR3861-1LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | US | Zappa Records ZR3861-1-ADALP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered | LP, Album, Compilation, Reissue, Remastered |
10 vinyl pressings of Joe's Garage Acts I, II & III are listed here, from 4 countries, released between 1987 and 2025.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in UK. One of them is EMI FZAP 1, released July 1988.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use FZAP 1) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, FZAP 11 A-1-1-1 DD and FZAP 11 B-1-1- D. 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.
