Deep Purple : Machine Head A-1U / B-1U 1st Press + Lyric Poster

This first press plays to a sublime standard with very little interference.  It has only been lightly played as there is very little spindle wear and the overall 'sound' of the audio is just spectacular!  The clarity and definition is outstanding!  I have listened to every second of this classic album so as to give a full and detailed grading as below.

Only a genuine first pressing will have 'The Gramophone Co Ltd' and 'Made in Great Britain' printed on the label rim and no 'EMI' logo either.  The gatefold is also laminated with the date code 7204 on the back.

This gatefold is in superb condition with very little shelf wear and the lyric poster is also in great condition.

TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // AR 2 / LM 3

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / Track 1 VG for two seconds!)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 1 VG for two seconds only)

The gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The lyric poster is Near Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is visually stunning to say the least!  It has only been infrequently played judging by the minimal spindle wear and the amazing audio quality and it still retains a superb glossy sheen despite being nearly 50 years of age.  There are no scratches and I cannot even find any obvious hairlines!  There is just one very faint scuff on S2 but it has no affect on the incredible audio.  The run out grooves and labels are also super clean.  What a stunning visual look!

Play grading  

The classic 'Highway Star' is 'as new' from the very first groove - the intro could not play any better it is absolutely stunning!  The sonic quality is so impressive and as the vocal begins there is no decrease in quality.  The only interference is a couple of light clicks just after the second chorus but they are largely 'lost' in the music anyway.  The remainder plays with a depth and clarity that is so rarely heard.  In essence this is Mint but with two seconds grading as VG :-)

'Maybe I'm A Leo' is nigh on perfect aside from a handful of mega quiet non-intrusive static ticks.  I only mention this so as to be totally honest as I always write what I hear however minor.  It is still the clarity of sound that really stands here, the playback is so strong and has a real depth to it.  This is Near Mint overall but with the majority playing to a higher standard than that.

The drum intro on 'Pictures Of Home' is Mint and then proceeds to play with wonderful clarity and definition.  Judging by the audio so far this is a record that has been so well preserved down the years!  There is no intrusion and no distortion on the top end either.  Once again I just cannot believe the level of clarity here - it's just on another scale and could not play with any greater distinction.  Even during the brief 'silent' section near the end there is no 'background'!  What a STUNNING version and fade out also plays with sublime precision.  Mint in every sense of the word.

The intro on 'Never Before' plays perfectly and the first verse is similar with just one light click.  It continues to play with wonderful clarity and there is no background static to be heard.  If I was being ultra critical there is just a minimal touch of static distortion during the melodic 'I was hurt...' verse but I have heard this on other first pressings and is a common feature.  It is only very minimal!  The remainder plays with great precision and not one iota of interference.  Again the vast majority is Mint but overall a Near Mint grade is fair.

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The classic riff on 'Smoke On The Water' plays with stunning clarity from the first groove.  This entire opening sequence quite simply plays 'as new' and the depth of the bass is also sublime.  It carries on in much the same way although there are a couple of clicks during the mid guitar section.  This is a shame because apart from that this classic plays with immaculate quality.  However, the music is obviously quite loud at this point so they are not that intrusive.  In fact I cannot emphasise enough just how superb 99% of the audio is!  This is Mint with barely two seconds that grade as VG.

The quiet organ intro on 'Lazy' is so 'clean' with barely any static and as the volume increases the audio is awesome!  This opening instrumental section has to be the finest I have heard in a long time and there is no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  The sonic quality is second to none and once the vocal (eventually) begins there is no let up in quality.  There is clarity and then there is clarity like this!  I cannot praise this version highly enough other than by giving it a Mint- grade.  This truly is a fabulous version of this jazzy classic.

'Space Truckin' ends this incredible first pressing with wonderful audio once more.  The depth of the audio is again so impressive and it's rare to find this 'high octane' track playing with such distinction.  There is no interference and none of the inner groove distortion that you so often find - the power just 'blasts' through the speakers!  So yes you can easily turn it up to maximum!!  This is as strong a version that you could ever wish to hear and is Mint in my humble opinion.

In summary this first pressing is of a standard that is rarely found today.  Admittedly there are a couple of clicks on each side but they are not that intrusive and the rest of the audio is just outstanding!  There is no accompanying static or crackle and the clarity could not be any more impressive.  This record is not far off 50 years of age and judging by the minimal spindle wear has not been played much at all - a stunning first press that would impress any avid vinyl collector.

The Gatefold

The laminated G & L cover with the date code 7204 on the back is in lovely condition with very little shelf wear.  The edges and spine are 'as new' with no rubbing and the corners have only minimal wear - the bottom right one just has a little more.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is so clean with no marking and only a small number of the usual small creases around the edges.  The back cover is as good with only 3/4 faint creases next to the spine and there are no laminate splits or lifts on either side.  The inside of the gatefold is in immaculate condition with no marking.  A superb example overall.

Inner Sleeve

The original die-cut plain white inner has no side splits and very little creasing.  It just has a couple of faint marks and a few small 'spots'.

The Labels

They are in great condition with no marking or writing and only a little spindle wear as stated.  Their original colour has been retained.

The Lyric Poster

This is in superb order with no marks or tears and barely any creasing.  It is one of the cleanest you will find.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // AR 2 / LM 3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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