AC/DC Highway To Hell A-1 B-1 1st PRESS 1979 Superb NM- COVER & NM / MINT- AUDIO
£
117
$
155
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently. AC/DC : Highway To Hell A-1 / B-1 1st UK Press Atlantic 1979
I recently purchased a stunning collection of AC/DC albums and four of them I am listing for this auction. They have all been preserved so well.
This first pressing could hardly not play any better. There is no interference on either side, no background at all really. The clarity, definition and power of the audio is sensational and rarely do you find this classic album playing with such precision. 'Night Prowler', the final track on S2, has a little inner groove distortion but it's hardly an issue. There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static either. It truly is a stunning example. A FINAL UPGRADE archive classic you could say.
The iconic cover has been so well cared for also and remains in lovely condition. It has retained its original shape and structure perfectly and still has the price sticker on the front. The original inner sleeve has hardly any wear either. This first pressing has the A-1 / B-1 matrix and it has ''Printed in England by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd'' on the back cover.
S-24 K50628 A-1 ARUN E.G. 2 --- S-4 K50628 B-1 ARUN E.G. (all etched)
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint)
The cover is Near Mint- The inner sleeve is Near Mint-
The labels are Near Mint
Visual description
The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no scratches. There are a couple of small marks on the run in grooves on S1 one of which leads into the first track (for a few rotations) but it has no impact on the superb audio. Aside from that it has only a few faint hairlines and there is no groove or surface wear. The Atlantic labels are very clean with no marking and not very much spindle wear.
Play Grading
The intro on the classic title track 'Highway To Hell' is basically perfect with only a couple of minor statics and Bon Scott's opening vocal plays with genuine quality also. Williams' bass sound is so strong and deep just prior to the first chorus which then plays with outstanding power and definition. The next vocal / chorus is just as impressive and the brief solo that follows could not play any better. The closing vocal section is of the same high end standard and the crescendo ending is STUNNING! I have no hesitation in grading this Mint- it is a superb version. 'Girls Got Rhythm' is exactly the same. From the intro and then through every vocal and instrumental section the audio is as powerful and clean as it could be. Sonically it is on another level! Put simply there is no intrusion from start to finish and it rocks out good and proper! Mint
The slightly more laid back intro on 'Walk All Over You' has only a couple of very quiet statics and as the volume increases the power and depth is off the scale. The first vocal is flawless as is the chorus and it continues in the same precise way. So far this album is playing 'as new' no exaggeration! The instrumental towards the end is spectacular and there is no distortion on the top end. The closing vocal / crescendo passage has no background either and Mint- is again deserved.
'Touch Too Much' keeps up the good work and plays with sensational clarity and power through every section. I'm kind of running out of superlatives already! If you're a die-hard AC/DC fan you would be more than impressed with the sonic quality on offer here! A hint of inner groove distortion towards the end but it's so so minimal and Mint- is again fair.
'Beating Around The Bush' ends S1 with suitably strong audio once more. There is no interference and no discernible distortion either. It is a very clean powerful version and the finale again rocks its socks off - absolutely stunning! Mint- is well and truly deserved.
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'Shot Down In Flames' plays with tremendous power and depth from the get go. The intro and opening vocal have zero intrusion and it continues in the same precise way. Every section - perfect. The instrumental towards the end a prime example of that. Immense power and definition! Mint
'Get It Hot' and 'If You Want Blood...' both play without fault. No need to elaborate - the clarity and power of the audio is superb and Mint is deserved.
Angus Young once said that 'Love Hungry Man' was the worst song he had ever written! Ok it's not the best track on the album but it's not that bad! Sonically it is as strong as the other tracks and again there is no interference not even a single static sound. Mint
The intro on 'Night Prowler' is 'as new' and the opening vocal section is on the same level. As it progresses there is no interference but as is common there is a little inner groove distortion. Impossible to avoid really but it's minimal to say the least and downgrading it is harsh in my opinion. After all from start to finish there is literally no interference but ok I'll say Near Mint which is kind of against my moral compass!
The G & L Cover & Inner Sleeve
The cover is in superb condition with very little wear. The top edge is close to perfect and the bottom edge has only the bare minimum of rubbing. The spine is stunning and the corners are all extremely clean also as is the opening edge which has no handling wear. The front cover is unmarked and has just one faint crease on the bottom right corner. As can be seen it has the original WH Smith price sticker on it. The back cover is in fantastic shape and it's difficult to find fault. Just a hint of discolouration on a couple of edges perhaps? Or are my eyes deceiving me! A stunning example all round.
The plain white die-cut inner sleeve has no side splits or tears and no marking either. A minimal amount of faint creasing that is all.
S-24 K50628 A-1 ARUN E.G. 2 --- S-4 K50628 B-1 ARUN E.G. (all etched)
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM-95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the topsGREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM
Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.
Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++
Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.
Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!
Great item and seller (no.1), many thanks from ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic! Record as Described! Excellent Packaging and Fast Overseas Shipping!
One of the best on Ebay!
Another amazing record from this exceptional seller. Absolutely delighted!
Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!
Postage & Packaging
I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping. This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage. The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered. Any over-payment will always be refunded.
The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD). An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known. Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing. Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Many thanks.
All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection. They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection. I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.
The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each. There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up! Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra
If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed. If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!
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