DEEP PURPLE Machine Head A1/B1 1st Press Superb COVER/INSERT & MINT- AUDIO
£
87
$
115
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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. Deep Purple : Machine Head A-1U / B-1U 1st Press + Lyric Poster
This first pressing plays to an incredible standard with barely any background. Only 'Maybe I'm A Leo' on S1 has a minimal amount of mega quiet static on the intro and all the other tracks play with stunning precision. The clarity, depth and power of the audio is superb and you can tell it has been so well preserved down the years. There is some spindle wear but not an excessive amount but the play it has received has certainly not affected the sonic 'quality'. S2 in particular is spectacular! It's a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing in my opinion.
The laminated cover has also been very carefully looked after and has no obvious wear. The lyric poster remains in great condition and the original inner sleeve has only minimal wear. The first pressing has 'The Gramophone Co. Ltd' info around the perimeter and 'Made in Great Britain' on the labels. There is no EMI logo on the labels either.
TPSA 7504 A-1U HD 2 // TPSA B-1U MH 3
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The laminated gatefold is Near Mint- The lyric poster is Near Mint-
The original inner sleeve is Ex
The labels are Near Mint-
Visual description
The vinyl is in excellent condition with a fine glossy sheen and no obvious marks or scratches. Under a bright light I can only see a small number of faint hairlines and a couple of tiny blemishes on S2 which obviously have no impact on the audio. There is no groove or surface wear and the labels are very clean with just some spindle wear.
Play Grading
The dynamic intro on 'Highway Star' plays loud and true with no intrusion and Gillan's 'scream' has never sounded better! The opening vocal section is just as strong and clear and the following instrumental with Blackmore and Lord at the helm is flawless. I heard just one barely audible tick at the end but honestly so quiet you only notice if your head is right next to the speakers! The next vocal is perfect as is Blackmore's solo and to the end it plays with genuine quality. This is such a powerful version and there is no distortion on the top end, Mint- in every way. The intro on 'Maybe I'm A Leo' is strong and deep with only a hint of barely audible static in the background. Very very minimal! From then on it plays with great power and depth and with no intrusion on the audio. The mid instrumental is a case in point - superb audio. There are no ticks, clicks or pops and I will grade as Near Mint
'Pictures Of Home' is STUNNING! Paice's intro is 'as new' as is the remainder and the opening vocal section is on the same level. It continues in the same precise way - the first two tracks play with sublime quality but it is taken to another level here. The clarity, depth and power of the audio is phenomenal. Gillan's vocal in particular is as 'clean' as I have ever heard and the instrumental sections - just wow! Glover's bass solo near the end has no background at all and the same applies to brief quiet section that soon follows. The closing instrumental is just as strong and the only 'infringement' is one light tick right at the end of the fade out so I will say Mint-
The intro on 'Never Before' has no interference and the first verse / chorus is equal to that. This standard is kept up as it progresses and for a final track the audio definition is so impressive. There is no 'muddiness' to the sound, no distortion - it plays with stunning precision through every section. Even the closing instrumental on the final few grooves plays with wonderful clarity - very much a Mint version in my opinion.
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The classic opening riff on 'Smoke On The Water' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of very quiet statics and as Paice and then Glover join in the audio is faultless. Deep and strong with perfect clarity. The first verse and chorus are of the same high end standard and it continues to play with breathtaking quality. Gillan's vocal is so strong and raw here and the backing from the guys is as clean as I have ever heard. This truly is a STUNNING version and every vocal and instrumental section play with incredible precision. Has to a be a Mint- version at the bare minimum.
The first part of the intro on 'Lazy' is quiet and yet the clarity is stunning. There is no intrusion as it progresses, literally none, and as Paice comes in the playback is just as impressive. As the volume and pace increases the audio is immense! Deep and resonant the sonic quality is superb and the opening vocal again has... no background. The next vocal section is flawless and Blackmore's work on the final section is 'as new' without a doubt. This is one of the finest versions I have ever heard and Mint is very much deserved.
The intro on 'Space Truckin' is perfect and the opening verse and chorus are just as strong. It continues to play with exceptional power and depth and if there is any inner groove distortion it is barely noticeable and hardly worth a mention! The mid instrumental is STUNNING it could not play any better - I blasted it loud and the playback is spectacular! The closing vocal section is again so strong and the final instrumental 'as new'. A Mint- version for sure.
The Gatefold, Lyric Insert & Inner Sleeve
The laminated cover is in superb condition with barely any wear. There is just one tiny 'rub' on the top edge of the back cover and the spine is slightly compressed as per usual but there is nothing that stands out. The edges and corners are so clean and the opening edge has no handling wear at all. The front and back cover are stunning with only a small number of edge creases next to the spine and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate. You won't find many better than this!
The lyric poster is near perfect with just one barely visible 'nick' on the edge of one of the folds. There is no marking and hardly any creasing. The poly-lined inner sleeve has no side splits or tears and has some light creasing and the 'glue' showing through on some of the edges as is common.
TPSA 7504 A-1U HD 2 // TPSA B-1U MH 3
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
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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 : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 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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