Frank Zappa Mothers WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY Original Verve label & cover

$

31

• PLEASE READ ENTIRE LISTING BEFORE BIDDING OR ASKING QUESTIONS!
• I am liquidating many of my records (LPs, EPs, etc.), electronic equipment, and miscellaneous items to create space for a new laboratory (see cochlearconcepts.com for details regarding my research).
• Refunds offered only if item is different than described. I cannot offer exchanges because I have a limited quantities (usually just one) of the item listed.
• I pack items with great care (see About Me for sample photo). Vinyl records can ship via Media Mail unless you want expedited shipping.
• IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING!! Although the USPS and eBay show an option for First Class International postage, here's info buyers need to know: 1) Neither the USPS or PayPal allow sellers to print labels or purchase First Class International postage online. Because of this inconvenience, sellers can only ship via International First Class by going to the PO in person. I only have time to make a PO trip once per week. Unless you're willing to pay for Priority Mail International, you'll have to be patient and wait a few extra days for me to ship your records. I usually go to the PO on a Tuesday or Thursday. Thanks for your understanding!
• NOTE TO BUYERS: Please be respectful when leaving feedback or rating sellers on transit time and shipping cost. Sellers DO NOT dictate UPS or USPS shipping rates. Shipping costs are conspicuously posted: Decide what's reasonable to you BEFORE you bid. When sellers are downgraded, EVERYBODY LOSES! Fewer sellers = less cool items to buy or bid on. Practically all issues, at least with honest buyers and sellers, can be quickly resolved in a professional manner. Sadly, eBay's "anonymous" 1-to-5 rating system enables perennial whiners to do just this: Whine. Who benefits from this? Nobody! A star rating might serve Amazon, but my auctions are for used items. If the music on an LP sucks, rate the artist, not the seller.
• I do NOT use stock photos--EVER! You will receive exactly what you see in the photo(s). I do my very best to provide accurate descriptions. I leave it the reader to do an online search for playlists, reviews, and information readily found on the web. Most buyers have a good idea what they're buying: I focus on letting you know the CONDITION of the phono record or CD being listed, not the historical background of the recording that you can find elsewhere. I am currently writing a dissertation and do not have time to provide tons of detailed info. Again, thanks for your understanding.
• Payment due by 3 days end of auction! PayPal ONLY (this method of payment protects buyers and sellers alike).

Above: I use high-end record playing equipment in order to preserve my records. Please know, however, that I am not the original owner of many records that are in my collection.

This listing is for an original and authentic Frank Zappa WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY LP (Verve label). Physical inspection of the vinyl reveals numerous fine scratches throughout. I played both sides from start to finish, and there were no loud pops or skips. While listening to the copy being auctioned here, you are aware that this is a used (but ok quality) record, not a CD or pristine record. The cover itself shows moderate wear and has cellophane tape along one edge of its fold-out cover. The inside of the cover includes the lyrics and the classic "Beatle-esque" picture (Sgt. Pepper parody).

So that you can hear the actual record being auctioned here, I've created two representative samples that you can listen to by going to www.elcaudio.com/library/zappa_11.mp3 and www.elcaudio.com/library/zappa_12.mp3. I try to find passages, to include the lead-in, that are worst-case examples of scratches and groove wear. Other than having converted the wav files to mp3 format, the samples are free of processing, noise reduction, or EQ. Thanks to software, it's also easy to manipulate digital files (i.e. play in reverse) and hear what's being said at the end of one choice track (Parental advisory: The Mothers had potty mouth). You can hear what I mean by going to www.elcaudio.com/library/reverse.mp3. Listen to the samples through good loudspeakers or headphones to hear the actual condition of the record being auctioned here. How many sellers offer listening samples of the actual LP being auctioned? Yes, it's time-consuming to do this, but I want YOU to know what you're buying before placing a bid. Please know that although I take great care of my records, I purchased this one USED and, consequently, it isn't pristine like most of the records I offer. It is, however, very listenable, and I'm giving it a low starting price and without a reserve (Frankly, I think reserve prices are kind-of lame. This LP goes to the high bidder regardless of how much or how little it sells for.)

Although I didn't process the above sample recordings, please know that digital recordings of this record "cleaned up" quite nicely using the noise-reduction software included with Sony Sound Forge Pro 10. It's best NOT to use FFT filtering because this can yield strange artifacts. And, as record aficionados know, ordinary high-cut filters make everything sound like poo. Sony's Click and Crackle removal tool does an admirable job; when used wisely, it doesn't affect the music, not even sharp percussive sounds. Just some friendly advise based on personal experience. If you're curious, I've provided samples of post processing in some of my other Frank Zappa auctions.

I have many records to list during the next several months. You can view or download (pdf) the record list that I recently started by going to www.elcaudio.com/vinyl/records.pdf.

Note to buyers, sellers, and eBay: Sellers have no control over UPS, FedEx, or USPS shipping costs or transit time! The goofy star rating is an example of how eBay has discouraged many excellent sellers. Fewer sellers = less cool items to buy or bid on. Thank you for your interest in this item!

Above and below: Front and back side, respectively, of The Mothers / Frank Zappa "We're Only In It For The Money" LP. The photos you see here are of the actual record being auctioned. Age and wear is visible in the photos.

Above: Here you can see the inside of the fold-out cover.

RECORD BUYERS: Please read the following regarding my grading of vinyl records.

I do NOT use the "Gold Mine" record-grading guidelines. Below are are five reasons why:

1. I've purchased records graded as "near mint" that I would have personally rated as "very good." Obviously, then, there's a subjective component when it comes to perceived distortion or noise. Collectors often comment that the records purchased from me are in much better condition than they had anticipated. Sometimes condition is a judgment call, but I try my best to be accurate.
2. I rate the condition of a phono record and its cover separately. A worn cover is one thing, a worn record is another. In some instances, the cover is more valuable to collectors than the album; in other instances, the record's sound is paramount.
3. It's difficult to judge a record's quality when the master's sources were vinyl records, not tape. The sound of scratches and pops may be intrinsic to a record because they were already on the master, or vinyl record, sources. This situation applies to a lot of the Sixties garage rock compilations I have to offer (45s may have been the only existing source). Even a brand new record will have pops or noise if there were pops or noise in the original source. I suppose this point is obvious, but...
4. Even a brand-new, sealed record can present with surface noise and defects because of age, improper storage, or for reasons that defy logic. On rare occasions, a record that looks (or is) brand new can have audible defects. I LISTEN to the records I sell so that you know what to expect.
5. I use high-end (audiophile) record playing equipment--refer to photo below. If a record skips or can't be played on my equipment, it goes out with the trash. Please know, however, I am NOT the original owner of many records in my collection; consequently, I'm unable to give information such as how many times the album was played, what stylus and tracking force was used, etc. The best I can do is say whether the record has audible scratches, groove wear, or noises that wouldn't exist on a new record.

Records you buy from me will be as described. If I accidentally miss a glitch, talk to me and we will work something out. I don't hoodwink anyone.

Below: These pics appear in all of my auctions--they're part of my template--most of what I buy and sell on eBay is precision measurement equipment from my personal lab. Enjoy!