Vinyl pressings
by Sammy Hagar · 1982
Three Lock Box 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.
23 pressings came out in 1982, 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.
GHS-1-2021-JW2 #1 ♡POGO [Artisan logo] 0A Side Etch exc 0, Artisan stamps. var. 1
GHS-2-2021-JW1 #3 ♡POGO [Artisan logo] 0B Side Etch exc 0, Artisan stamps, var. 1
GHS-1-2021-JW2 #1 ♡POGO [Artisan logo] 0A Side Etch exc 0, Artisan stamps, var. 2
GHS-2-2021-JW2 #2 ♡POGO [Artisan logo] 0B Side Etch exc 0, Artisan stamps, var. 2
GHS-1-2021-WW2 #5 ♡POGO 0Side A - Etched - Variant 1
GHS-2-2021-WW2 #2 ♡POGO 0Side B - Etched - Variant 1
GHS-1-2021-VW1 #2 ♡POGO 0Side A - Etched - Variant 2
GHS-2-2021-VW2 #3 ♡POGO 0Side B - Etched - Variant 2
GHS-1-2021-WW1 ♡POGO •-------◄ [Artisan logo]Var 1: Side A runout
GHS-2-2021-WW1 ♡POGO •-------◄ [Artisan logo]Var 1: Side B runout
GHS-1-2021-WW3 Π ♡POGO [Artisan logo] •-------◄Var 2: Side A runout
GHS-2-2021-WW1 ♡POGO [Artisan logo] •-------◄Var 2: Side B runout
GHS-1-2021-SH3 ♡POGO △3191 SLM B-17478-5H3Side A - Etched
GHS-2-2021-SH3 ♡POGO B-17479 SH3 X SLM △3191-XSide B - Etched
GHS-1-2021-SR1 SP 1-1 ♡POGOSide A
GHS-2-2021-SR1 SP 1-1 ♡POGOSide B
GHS-1-2021-WW1 SP 1-1 ♡POGO •-------◄ [Artisan logo]Side A - Etched
GHS-2-2021-SR2 SP 1-1 ♡POGO [Artisan logo] GFSide B - 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 | Australia | Geffen Records GHS 2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Brazil | Geffen Records 144781 / Epic 144781First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | Canada | Geffen Records XGHS 2021First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Europe | Geffen Records GEF 25254 / Geffen Records 25254First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1982 | Europe | Geffen Records 902 021-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Germany | Geffen Records 902021-1First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Greece | Geffen Records GEF 25254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Hong Kong | CBS/Sony 25AP 2186First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Geffen Records 25AP-2485First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | Japan | Geffen Records 25AP-2485First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1982 | South Africa | Geffen Records ASF 2834First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | South Korea | Life Studio 54 FM 002LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial | LP, Unofficial Release · Unofficial |
| 1982 | UK | Geffen Records GHS 25254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1982 | UK | Geffen Records GEF 25254First yearLP | LP |
| 1982 | UK | Geffen Records GEF 25254First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | US | Geffen Records GHS 2021LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | US | Geffen Records GHS 2021LP, Album, Repress | LP, Album, Repress |
| ? | Yugoslavia | Suzy / Geffen Records 25254LP, Album | LP, Album |
32 vinyl pressings of Three Lock Box are listed here, from 14 countries, released between 1982 and 1986.
The earliest pressings are from 1982, in US, UK, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is Geffen Records GHS 2021, released November 30, 1982.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use GHS 2021, GHS 25254, GEF 25254, 144781) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, GHS-1-2021-JW2 #1 ♡POGO [Artisan logo] 0 and GHS-2-2021-JW1 #3 ♡POGO [Artisan logo] 0. 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.
