Eric Clapton “Eric Clapton” on Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs “original master recording” (MFSL 1-220). This was one of the last albums MFSL released before they went out of business, VERY rare. These Limited Edition, Audiophile grade albums use half speed master lacquer plates cut directly from the “original source stereo masters”. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab albums are “must haves” for vinyl collectors and audiophiles alike. They are as good as sound reproduction gets. To put it modestly, CD’s and regular pressing records sound like garbage in comparison. Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab albums are pressed in very limited quantities onto 200 grams of “high definition” virgin vinyl from the Original Master Recording. Of course, Mobile Fidelity is out of business and the values of these limited pressings are bound to go through the roof.

This album was purchased brand new (sealed) by me. I opened it and played it one time to make sure there were no factory defects and that’s it. It is in PERFECT condition! Only 7500 of these were made, this is Limited Edition #0638 out of 7500.

VINYL CONDITION = NM++
COVER CONDITION = NM++

ABOUT MY RECORDS AND HOW THEY ARE GRADED:

My records are strictly graded to GOLDMINE record standards. I have been a serious record collector for years and am NOT one of these idiots on eBay that doesn’t have a clue how to properly grade an album. I am not a record store or dealer, I am a serious collector. All of these albums I’m selling are from my personal collection, which I have recently decided to sell off one by one! My albums are in “collectable condition”! I have always been incredibly picky, anal and obsessive when it comes to the condition of my vinyl and if I have it in my collection it’s as close to MINT as you are likely to see. I am not as concerned with the condition of the covers as I am the vinyl, so my covers may not be perfect at times, but my vinyl is almost always pristine. I properly grade records and I grade them conservatively so that you never have any surprises when you buy from me. The large majority of my records were purchased by me NEW and have always been meticulously cared for. My albums were played only on a $2000 VPI turntable, with a properly weighted, properly aligned tonearm and high quality cartridge/stylus. Most of my high value albums (like MFSL vinyl) were played VERY sparingly. Many only saw one play, to make sure they weren’t factory defective and then were put away as collectables. In most cases the vinyl has been carefully and meticulously treated with “LAST” record preservative, and then placed in high quality rice paper inner sleeves (but the original liner sleeve will also be included, unless the original was a blank that was completely void of any liner notes or record company markings). Incorrectly grading an album is fraud, as the condition greatly affects album value. For those of you unfamiliar with proper record grading, see my grading “system” below. It is strictly based off of GOLDMINE record grading standards.

RECORD GRADING SYSTEM

MINT (M) – Knowledgeable record collectors will tell you that NO album can be verified as being truly MINT. It is not uncommon to get a factory sealed album that has damaged corners (among other visual flaws). It is also not uncommon to open a sealed album only to find that it wasn’t stored properly and the vinyl is loaded with paper scuffs or worse yet the vinyl is warped. Conversely, if an album was opened, it also can not be MINT. Forget these idiots that list opened albums as MINT. Collectors worth their weight in salt will tell you that an album should NEVER be graded as MINT, because if it’s factory seal is broken it is not truly MINT and if the factory seal has not been broken you have no idea what the true condition of the vinyl is. That being said, I will NEVER grade an album as MINT! It can be absolutely perfect in every way and the best grading it will get from me is NM+. If you’re buying a used record from someone that is claiming that it’s MINT, that’s a sure sign that the seller does not understand how to properly grade an album to collector standards.

NEAR MINT (NM) – NM+ is the absolute top grading a knowledgeable collector will give an album. NM+ is flawless. No scratches, no scuffs, no spindle marks. I’ve opened many brand new factory sealed albums that I would not grade anywhere close to NM upon initially opening them (before the vinyl even touched a turntable). Often from improper storage or improper temperature control an album that was never even opened can acquire paper scuffs on the vinyl, vinyl warping, bent cover corners and other flaws. A smart record collector would rather buy an opened album that is verified as perfect as opposed to a factory sealed album that could be warped, scuffed or otherwise damaged without the seller even being aware of it. To make matters worse, there are dishonest “scammers” out there that are re-shrink wrapping used albums and selling them as “sealed”. Don’t be fooled into thinking that a “sealed” album is necessarily MINT, NM or even VG for that matter. If you open a sealed album only to find the vinyl is heavily paper scuffed or warped, you don’t have an album that is even “good”, let alone NM. NM+ is perfect, flawless. NM is perfect, without flaw to the naked eye under normal light. NM- may have a minor superficial flaw, but nothing beyond what you would commonly find on a brand new “sealed” piece of vinyl and nothing that would affect the sound quality in any way.

VERY GOOD (VG) – VG(+) is equivalent to “excellent”. As far as the cover is concerned VG(+) could have some very minor flaws, but should be in excellent overall condition. VG(+) vinyl could have some extremely minor flaw (i.e. light paper scuff), but nothing that can be overbearingly heard during playback. No heavy scratches or scuffs that stand out during playback will be found on a VG(+) album!

GOOD (G) – G(+) is exactly what it says “good”. The vinyl may contain some audible flaws as well as visual ones, but overall it’s an album that is perfectly playable. No skips! The cover contains definite signs of use or minor seam splits, but still intact and enjoyable.

FAIR (F) – If an album is in F condition, you probably aren’t buying it from me. But for argument sake, a “fair” album is listenable, but will contain numerous audible flaws. Audible pops, ticks and scratches are normal on a fair condition album, but skips are not acceptable. Visual flaws are numerous. The cover may contain serious seam splits, bent corners and serious ring wear. Fair condition is not collectable condition.

POOR (P) – A “poor” condition album pretty much speaks for itself. I don’t sell P quality albums, so enough said about that.

Be sure to see my other auctions, I have many other MFSL albums currently listed on eBay and there are many more from my private personal collection being added every day! Buy multiple items that can be combined and save some money on shipping (see “shipping & payment” details below).

Please read all auction “terms and conditions” carefully before bidding. DEADBEAT BIDDERS will be left negative feedback, regardless of the excuse, so don’t bid if you can’t comply with all the terms of this auction. I have proven myself to be a very reliable, trustworthy eBay’er and I expect those same qualities in those that bid on my auctions.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

DISCLOSURE:

No reserve!!! Unlike some on eBay I accurately describe the condition of my merchandise, so that you know exactly what you’re getting,….see my feedback. Detailed questions welcome.

SHIPPING & PAYMENTS:

Shipping and sales in the CONTINENTAL USA only (unless approved by me prior to bidding). Personal checks, Cashier’s checks and Money Orders accepted as payment. USPS Postal Money Orders result it the fastest service. NO PAYPAL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!! Due to my banks policy all payments besides USPS money orders must clear before shipping (usually about 7-10 business days). ONLY United States Postal Money Orders result in immediate shipping. Shipping, Handling, Insurance and packing material cost in the CONTINENTAL USA is $8.00. $2.00 for each additional album. All items are shipped either FedEx Ground or through the USPS.

RETURN POLICY:

ALL SALES ARE FINAL UNLESS THE ITEM ARRIVES IN CONDITION OTHER THAN AS DESCRIBED IN THIS AUCTION. PLEASE SEE MY FEEDBACK AND BID WITH CONFIDENCE.

BIDDING RULES & TERMS:

I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO END THIS AUCTION EARLY, REGARDLESS OF CURRENT BID STATUS. I ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY BIDS FROM THOSE WITH QUESTIONABLE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK OR THOSE WITH NO FEEDBACK. IF YOU HAVE NO FEEDBACK OR NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FOR BEING A NON-PAYING BIDDER YOU MUST RECEIVE APPROVAL FROM ME PRIOR TO BIDDING.

ABOUT MY FEEDBACK AND YOUR FEEDBACK:

I have worked very hard to build an excellent eBay reputation and if you view my feedback you will see that every auction that I received payment for went 100% perfectly, with nothing but totally positive feedback. Unfortunately there is a rash of non-paying DEADBEAT BIDDERS that are abusing the eBay feedback rating system. There are many sellers that have resisted leaving deserved negative feedback for deadbeat bidders in fear of the “deadbeat” leaving undeserved retaliation feedback for them, purely out of unjust spite. I used to be one of those sellers that didn’t leave negative feedback for non-paying bidders, because I feared them unjustly and spitefully ruining my perfect eBay feedback rating. However, bidders that do NOT pay deserve negative feedback, because other reputable sellers deserved to be warned when a bidder failed to pay in the past! Just as important, seller’s that never got paid do NOT deserve negative feedback,…which is exactly what my only negative feedbacks are from. If a seller isn’t paid, then they are not even afforded the opportunity to participate in the auction, thereby making it impossible for them to have participated “negatively”. The fact of the matter is; deadbeat bidders don’t like getting bad feedback, even though they know they deserve it. Every auction I ever got paid for was completely positive, the bidders were thrilled and my feedback clearly shows that my items are always represented accurately. My point to all this is simple, I have started leaving negative feedback for ALL bidders that do NOT pay, regardless of whether or not you are going to retaliate with undeserved, unjust negative feedback left for me out of spite. I plead with all you other reputable sellers that have experienced this same problem to write a brief letter to eBay. Plead to them to start removing negative feedback left for sellers that were never paid. If you weren’t paid, you didn’t get your fair chance to participate in the auction and your feedback rating should not be tarnished by spiteful non-paying bidders. If we sellers speak up, eBay will listen and reform this obvious flaw in the feedback system. Be sure to view my feedback and bid with total confidence. Every auction I was paid for went perfectly; my merchandise is always accurately represented and delivered in a timely manner! But if you bid and don’t pay you will be getting negative feedback that reads “BEWARE SELLERS: DEADBEAT BIDDER; DID NOT PAY”. No exceptions!