Gentle Giant : Gentle Giant 1Y1/2Y1 1st Press 1970 Vertigo

This first pressing plays with a clarity and depth that is rarely found on the Vertigo pressings today.  There is barely any interference and arguably there is no obvious interference at all, just a minimal amount of light 'background'.  The vast majority is Near Mint / Mint without a doubt.  As always I have play tested each track in full and there are no loud clicks or pops at all, like I say the clarity is stunning on both sides.  A complete grading is given below. 

The gatefold is in excellent condition with only very minimal wear and the original inner is also very clean with no side splits, just one small central tear.

A first press is denoted by a large 'Swirl' logo above the spindle hole on Side B, and VERTIGO is written towards the bottom of the label.  'Alucard' is also incorrectly spelt as 'Alcard'.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

6360020   1Y//1? 420  1 1 3 1

6360020   2Y//1 ? 420  1 1 3

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T3 has two very brief Ex sections / T4 intro Ex+)

The audio S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T1 intro Ex)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Ex-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only a couple of faint hairlines on each side - at first glance it is stunning!  It is only on closer inspection that you can detect a few 'bag rash' lines but they are so faint and really not that easy to find!  There is minimal spindle wear on Side A and just a little more on Side B but apart from the labels are very clean indeed.  The run out grooves are also in great shape although etched into Side A is the name EA Bate 391, I'm not sure that is meant to be there!  A fine example example overall with no groove wear, no 'mottling' and it has certainly been very well looked after.

Play grading

The quiet intro on 'Giant' plays so clearly with only very minimal light static and the 'high octane' opening section is 'as new' with no interference at all.  Just a hint of light static on the 'See the world...' line but as the track builds the playback is stunning - pure Mint audio!  The mid instrumental also plays to a incredible standard with only one light tick and a handful of mega light dust ticks but the sonic quality here is exceptional.  The vast majority plays with perfect clarity.  Again as the music builds the playback is so strong and there is no distortion on the top end.  The final verse is faultless and the remainder is exactly the same.  This is a fine Near Mint version to start this classic album.

There is of course no hiding place for 'Funny Ways' as there are a number of quiet sections and yet it plays with stunning clarity throughout.  There are no loud clicks or pops and I detected only a couple of ticks and a small number of dust ticks which are not intrusive obviously.  The mid 'instrumental' could not play any better and the final verse is equally as good.  This end section is of course so quiet and yet the only 'background' is a couple of very minor ticks.  Near Mint

The intro on 'Alucard' plays with great precision and with such power and depth.  The first 'silent' section has only a couple of light static ticks and then the opening vocal has no 'background' at all.  The long instrumental that follows plays with tremendous clarity and power with only a couple of dull sounding light clicks during the quieter passage.  Audio perfection is soon restored!  The 'low key' section prior to the final vocal has very little static and the vocal then plays without fault.  The powerful finale is superb and again has no distortion.  This track largely plays to a Mint- standard but with a couple of very short Ex sections.

The intro on 'Isn't It Quiet And Cold' plays so well with only 3/4 light ticks and the opening 'verse' is as it was when first released over 50 years ago!  It continues with a clarity of sound that cannot be beaten.  It plays beautifully with no interference and every note is so sharp and precise - wow this is good!  Even the super quiet end section has barely any static.  The intro is Ex+ and is then Mint- for the remainder.  A stunning end to S1 of that I am sure about.

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The acoustic intro on 'Nothing At All' plays very clearly with only minimal static and just one static click.  The opening vocal is very similar with barely any static in the background - nothing intrusive.  It continues in the same way and the first 'high octane' section is 'as new' with no interference.  The extended percussive section then plays with a clarity that you rarely find on these first pressings and the gentle piano piece is just as impressive.  I only heard a handful of barely audible dust ticks it is that good and this standard is maintained as it builds.  The final melodic section plays so well with only a minor touch of mega light static.  I will grade the intro as Ex and the rest as Near Mint although the majority is stronger than that!

The intro on 'Why Not' is close to perfect with only a couple of light ticks and as the volume ramps up the playback is stunning!  The depth and power is sensational and the melodic vocal section that follows is super 'clean' with barely any static.  The soaring instrumental that follows also cannot be faulted - no distortion just pure unadulterated Mint audio!  The next vocal is equally as good and the up tempo end section...plays to perfection.  The sonic quality on this track is hugely impressive to say the least.  There is hardly any 'background' and Near Mint is easily deserved overall but again the majority plays 'as new' with a clarity and power that was a pleasure to listen to :-)

'The Queen' ends the side with superb clarity from start to finish.  There is no obvious static on the intro and the 'main' section is close to perfect with only a couple of minor ticks.  The quiet finish once again demonstrates the clarity on this record - just a couple of insignificant ticks and this is a Near Mint end to this classic debut album.

In summary this first pressing plays to a wonderful standard with no stand-out interference.  There is only a minimal amount of 'background' and this is not intrusive in any way.  The vast majority is of Near Mint / Mint quality with a clarity and definition that you only get on a well preserved vinyl.  Overall the sonic quality is stunning which is typical of the first/early Vertigo pressings and accounts for why they are so collectable.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

This iconic cover has been very well looked after and has only minimal shelf wear.  To be honest the only real wear is some rubbing/crimping on the top edge of the front cover which is also happens to be the opening edge of course.  Even then it is still minimal and there is no actual damage to the edge.  The other edges have very little rubbing and the wide spine only has some minor specks and some light wear on the corners.  The other corners have only a little wear.  The front cover is very clean with no marking although I have just spotted a very faint rectangular 'mark' where there would have been a sticker at some point.  The back cover is also in excellent order with only a couple of faint scratch lines and the inside of the gatefold is superb with just a little fading/mottling around a couple of edges - this is very minor.  Overall a very respectable example of this cover that has been kept in excellent condition when you consider it isn't laminated.

The original poly-lined swirl inner (dated 1070) is in excellent shape overall with no side splits and only one small tear on the central 'window'.  There is not too much creasing and barely any marking although the Vertigo catalogue number and a name has been written near the top edge on one side.

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

6360020   1Y//1? 420  1 1 3 1

6360020   2Y//1 ? 420  1 1 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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