CAPTAIN BEEFHEART - STRICTLY PERSONAL 1968 UK 1ST PRESS STEREO VINYL LP LIBERTY

	£		112
	$		148

I have decided to slowly start parting with my own personal vinyl collection. This has been a difficult decision. I spent many a happy year, hunting, buying, upgrading my collection. I will try and provide as much info as possible, but if you require more photos or any other info don't hesitate to get in touch.

The collection consists of Rock, Prog, Psych, Folk, Beat mainly from the 60's and 70's. Plenty of Vertigo, Harvest and Island originals as well as Beatles, Stones, Hendrix, Who etc.

I would consider all items to be at least EX, however please read my descriptions where I will try and point out any flaws.

I will also include multiple photos in my listings, detailing as much as possible.

Bid with confidence - I am a long time collector. I understand collecting and grading. I don't over grade and will refund you fully on return of the item if not entirely satisfied.

Vinyl will be separated from the sleeve, placed in a new anti static inner and card outer for shipping. The original inner will be included if present (check description)

I use cruciform record mailers with stiffeners for safe, secure shipping.

All UK items will be sent by 1st class recorded. I will combine postage where possible, I always undercharge P&P costs - please bear this in mind when leaving feedback/DSRs.

Overseas postage will ONLY be sent by registered/recorded delivery and the full value will be declared to customs so please don't ask me to reduce this.

Thanks for looking.

Visit My eBay Shop: PLAYBACK SOUNDS 

ARTIST - CAPTAIN BEEFHEART

TITLE - STRICTLY PERSONAL

YEAR - 1968

COUNTRY - UK

LABEL - LIBERTY

THIS RECORD IS STEREO WITH CATALOGUE NUMBER LBS 83172

Matrix Numbers are machine stamped on both sides.

Side One LBS83172  A//1   420

Side Two LBS83172  B//1   420

THE LABELS

The labels are classic blue Liberty design. They have no major flaws. There are a few light spindle marks on each side, but no wear around the spindle hole. I grade the labels as NEAR MINT condition, I generally only use mint only for sealed records.

THE VINYL

Visually the vinyl lays flat on the turntable with no warps. It weighs 129g

The vinyl is visually very nice with a couple of light wispy hairlines but no deep marks or scratches. Visually grades as EXCELLENT PLUS

I am very strict with my grading and offer 100% satisfaction or your money back on return of the item.

So how does it sound?

I cleaned the record using a carbon brush, then wet cleaned it using the Okki Nokki cleaning machine before play testing.

This record plays as it looks, it is in EXCELLENT condition. Despite the fact that it has obviously been played (from the spindle marks on the label), there is no excessive deterioration in sound quality. I had to play grade this record on headphones as my wife cannot abide this music and this caused me to hear every note and sound with a clarity not usually heard when just playing through the speakers.

When played through headphones I noticed that the opening/lead in to track one on each side had a little crackle but when the music started, there was no unwanted noise background spoiling the Captains genius. Throughout the whole album I noted no more than half a dozen static clicks but at the end of the day you are playing a vinyl album where a stylus on vinyl is going to cause some occasional noise here and there - if you want clinical sound, buy the CD.

To confirm the audio grade I played 2 tracks from each side through the speakers and I can say with confidence that this easily grades as EXCELLENT, probably higher.

THE INNER

To protect the record and the inner and I have stored the record in an anti static plain white inner, however the original 'Plastic Bags Can Be Dangerous' inner is present and free from splits. 

THE SLEEVE

The sleeve that came with this album is an American manufactured gatefold sleeve. Quite often during the late 60's, 1st issue UK records would be issued with US manufactured sleeves. This was sometimes done as a money saving exercise, when titles were not expected to sell in large quantities the record companies would use imported sleeves that had already been made rather than commission additional sleeves printed in the UK. In other circumstances US sleeves were used to keep up with demand if there was a delay with the manufacture of the UK sleeves. 

The sleeve itself is a matt, thick card gatefold sleeve with 'Blue Thumb' logo and catalogue number rather than the Liberty one that is on the UK made sleeve. The spine is very wide with clear print. The original owner (who I bought it from) has added the UK Liberty Catalogue Number in ballpoint pen on the back of the sleeve below the US number. The inside of the gatefold does exhibit some minor age spots along the top of the sleeve. Overall I would say that although the sleeve is in respectable condition, it is not perfect - EXCELLENT  

In summary you are buying a respectable copy of a classic avant-garde vinyl LP which sold in minute quantities back in 1968.  It's not cheap, but then quality never is. I will package the vinyl separate from the sleeve with plenty of card in a purpose made cruciform mailer. All items will be sent fully insured and tracked. Overseas buyers must pay for either International Signed For or Airsure, this is expensive but provides peace of mind and protection for both buyers and sellers.

We've all bought vinyl on ebay only to be disappointed with the quality, however I offer a full money back guarantee on my records - I do not offer partial refunds, if you are not happy with your purchase I will gladly refund you in full once the item has been returned.

Condition

If you need any specific questions regarding condition of the items, please get in touch. I am a collector myself so I understand the importance of condition

 I am strict on my grading and wouldn’t list anything I wouldn’t be happy to receive. 

Please take time to look at my feedback to see how many good comments I have regarding the condition of my items.

Vinyl will be separated from the sleeve for shipping.

The vinyl will be placed in a new anti-static bag and protective card outer.

Any questions regarding condition, please feel free to ask prior to bidding.

Grading

For LPs and singles I use the Rare Record Guide grading system detailed below:

MINT The LP or single is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items are in perfect condition.

EXCELLENT The LP or single shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VERY GOOD The LP or single has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and an occasional light scatch. Normal wear and tear on the cover and contents without any major defects.

GOOD The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deterioted, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Delivery Times

 I aim to despatch all items with 36 hours of payment. If you check my feedback you will see numerous comments on the speed of delivery.

I only use 1st Class recorded postage to protect both buyers and sellers. Items over £50 will be insured

Unfortunately once I have posted the item, it is then in the hands of Royal Mail who state that 1st Class should take 2-3 days however the reality is that this isn’t always the case. It is not uncommon  for items to take 5 days to arrive.

We all know how frustrating it is to be waiting for our new purchase only for it to be delayed in the post, but please be reasonable and don’t take your frustrations on the postal system out on me.

If your item hasn’t arrived 7 days after despatch please get in touch. Don’t open a case or leave me negative feedback. I am a reasonable person and like to think that any problem can be resolved with communication.

 I obtain proof of postage on ALL items.

Postage & Packaging Costs

Postage costs have increased dramatically over the last 12 months.  Unlike some I don’t make a profit from postage.  Ebayers who sell know these costs, however some customers are oblivious to the cost of actually getting their item to them.

A single vinyl album packaged properly costs £4.10 just for 1st class recorded delivery, this does not include the price of the antistat bags, card outers, cruciform mailers, labels, ink, card stiffeners, bubblewrap etc.

Please consider these costs when leaving me feedback and DSR’s.

If you have any questions regarding postage and packaging cost please get in touch.

Overseas Postage

Overseas postage has become very expensive. For items over £25 I will only use either International Signed For or Airsure services. 

Also I always declare full value of the items for customs purposes as I need to for the insurance, please don't ask me to lie. Overseas customers are responsible for all import taxes that may be due on expensive items.

Customer Service

This is very important to me. I am not a big corporation selling 1000’s of items a day with no regard to the customers. I appreciate every order and try to make sure every customer is completely satisfied with their order.

If you are unsatisfied in any way, PLEASE get in touch before leaving bad feedback, low DSR’s or opening a case.

I am reasonable and will work with you to resolve any problems amicably, however I cannot resolve problems if I am not made aware of them.

Feedback

Your feedback is important to me. I work hard to make sure my customers are happy with their items and if for any reason they are not I urge them to get in touch BEFORE leaving feedback.

Also as a business seller it is important that you leave good DSR’s. Like many sellers I feel this system is very unfair as a couple of low ratings can ruin your business and get you banned for Ebay even if you have perfect feedback.

If there is anything I could have done to make your experience better please let me know.

CHECK MY STORE REGULARLY AS I AM LISTING NEW ITEMS DAILY.

Visit My eBay Shop: PLAYBACK SOUNDS

THANKS FOR LOOKING