Iron Maiden : Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son A-2 / B-3 1st Press

This first pressing plays to a superb standard and the vast majority is 'as new' I can confidently say.  There is just a touch of crackle at the start of S1, one gentle click plus 5/6 seconds of static on S2 but as for the remainder - the audio is stunning!

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the lyric inner is near perfect.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and they are shown below.  The cost can vary depending on what my estimate of the final sale price will be i.e. if tracking / extra insurance is required.

EMD 1006 // A - 2 / B - 3U // VERY DIRECT METAL & IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT BOLLOCKS + STERLING etched on the run out grooves

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 1 intro VG+ / T4 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (T1 Ex- for one very brief section)

The cover is a very strong Ex

The labels are Mint-

The lyric inner is Near Mint

Visual grading

This vinyl isn't quite as 'Mint' as my other Maiden records but it is still nonetheless in excellent condition with no marks or scratches.  Yes there are a few more faint sleeve removal hairlines and one long(ish) hairline on track 3 S1 but they are superficial and have no bearing on the stunning audio.  It still has an impressive glossy sheen and has only been lightly played judging by the lack of spindle wear and the audio quality.

Play grading

The acoustic intro on 'Moonchild' does have a little crackle but the music and vocal still play very clearly and this background has largely disappeared as the keyboard comes in.  As the familiar Maiden sound begins the audio cannot be faulted and the sonic quality is outstanding with no sign of any interference.  It then plays in exactly the same way so if the intro is only VG+ the rest is Mint for sure.

The quiet intro on 'Infinite Dreams' is super clean with only 3/4 barely audible dust ticks and as the vocal begins the clarity is stunning and it continues in the same precise manner.  It plays with such a strong, deep and rich sound and nowhere is that more obvious than on the long instrumental section.  With a more progressive feel this track is stunning and I cannot emphasise enough how well it plays!  A stunning version I had to play it twice!  Every verse plays with perfect precision and again the sonic quality could not be improved.  Just a couple of light ticks on the fade out but overall a Mint- grade is easily deserved.

'Can I Play With Madness' is exceptional from start to finish.  I play every second so as to provide a 'complete' grading and this is Mint in every sense of the word.  There is no 'background' of any kind and in essence it plays as well as it would've done back in '88.

The quieter intro on 'The Evil That Men Do' has no interference and it continues in the same way as the volume increases.  There is one very dull sounding click just before the first verse but this is the only interference to be heard across the entire track.  It plays so well with no distortion and still deserves a Near Mint despite that one click as it quiet and really not that intrusive.  A stunning end to the side.

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The intro on 'Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of dust ticks and the opening two verses are faultless.  Showing the full range of Dickinson's vocals this continues to play with great quality.  The quieter mid section does have 3/4 static ticks at the beginning and some lighter static but it soon disappears.  The spoken section has no 'background' and this clarity is still there for the remainder of this 'progressive' piece.  The following solo is awesome!  I have never heard better and there is no distortion on the top end.  To the end this classic plays to a wonderful standard with such impressive power and depth, there is just nothing to fault.  So the vast majority is Mint but with a very brief Ex- section.  A stunning version.

The quiet opening section on 'The Prophecy' plays beautifully with barely any static.  As the vocal comes in the playback is 'as new' and as it progresses there is no let up in quality.  What a version!  Incredible power and depth in equal measure and the acoustic end section again has barely any static.  Mint- is well deserved, it could hardly play any better.

The bass intro on 'The Clairvoyant' has no 'background' and it then plays in typical Maiden style with fast paced heavy rock which shows no sign of any interference.  From start to finish this is a 'high end' version that qualifies as Mint for sure.

'Only The Good Die Young' is 'as new' from the very start and again this is a track that just knocks recent reissues into touch.  The audio is so strong and has such warmth and definition.  This really is audio of the highest calibre and the 'high octane' finish just adds to the mesmeric quality and for once there is no inner groove distortion.  The final two verses also play with sublime clarity and this is easily the finest version I have ever heard.  An immaculate Mint end to this classic album.

In summary this first pressing plays to a wonderful standard with only minimal interference.  Yes there is a little crackle at the start of S1 and one soft click later on plus a little static on S2 but this is only momentary and the vast majority is 'as new' without a doubt.  The power and clarity is so impressive and the sonic quality is as good as I have heard.  A particular favourite of mine this is not quite a final upgrade but is certainly not far from it.

The Cover

The cover is in excellent condition with very little shelf wear.  The edges have only minimal rubbing, just one small obvious rub on the bottom edge, and the spine is in superb shape with no obvious wear at all.  What really stands out is how clean all the corners are - there is hardly any wear and the opening edge is also very clean with only a couple of small areas of 'crimping'.  The front cover is super clean with no marking and the back cover is almost as good.  Under a certain light/angle you can see some 'ghost' writing and a couple of indent lines that has been impressed upon it by someone writing on some paper above it.  You don't notice it at first.  A very strong example overall with no major wear.

The Lyric Inner

The glossy lyric inner has no side splits or marking and only a minor amount of creasing near the thumb notch area.

The Labels

They are in superb condition with barely any spindle wear and no marking or writing.

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

EMD 1006 // A - 2 / B - 3U // VERY DIRECT METAL & IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT BOLLOCKS + STERLING etched on the run out grooves

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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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

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LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

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