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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection. 

On offer here is a superb barely-played copy of The Who's rock opera studio double alblum titled "Quadrophenia", Catalogue Number Deluxe Double 2657 013. It's a 1973 UK stereo first pressing on the Track Record Label, with a first issue Euro Albums Holland B.V. gatefold sleeve with 42-page picture booklet. [The gatefold sleeve is made from soft card and is not laminated. The Track record labels have a matt black finish unlike subsequent re-issues which are shiny. The record matrix numbers are 2406110 Av1, B//2, Av1 and Bv2 (where v = delta symbol). Genuine first issues from 1973 must have all four matrix numbers ending in 1 or 2. Anything higher is a repress].

The gatefold sleeve is in VG(+) condition with some storage wear to the edges and a couple of minor creases. The front cover has a few small rub marks in the top left corner but is otherwise in great shape. The back cover is unmarked with virtually no ringwear which is very unusual for this particular sleeve. The spine is solid with all text legible. The opening edges of the left side show some feathering and a couple of tiny nicks. The heavy 42-page picture booklet has been re-affixed after becoming detached from the outer pages (as they all do), but is otherwise complete and undamaged. Overall it's a very presentable example of this notoriously fragile sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.


The solidly-pressed Track records retain their original lustre and rotate evenly on the turntable. Both records are in EX+ condition with just a few sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident under bright light. These are purely superficial and do not have any significant effect on the audio playback. The matt black Track labels show only a few faint spindle traces each side. There is virtually no wear around either of the spindle holes. Both records play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is truly sensational - very powerful and dynamic with lots of wonderful guitar and sound effects. I've owned many copies of Quadrophenia over the years and have found that true first pressings really do play with outstanding power and fullness of sound when compared to later pressings. I guarantee that this copy will not disappoint!

The original matching white poly-lined inner sleeves have some age discoloration marks and a few creases, but no splits or tears.


Overall this is a superb first issue of The Who's rock opera masterpiece which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

 

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when buying.

 

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

                                  

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Tracked with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £12.50

Worldwide - £18.50