JEFFERSON AIRPLANE Volunteers RARE Orig UK 69 RCA EX LP

	£		49
	$		64

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World

Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down & All Shipping Costs and Options – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment.

Artist or Band: JEFFERSON AIRPLANE

Album Title: Volunteers.

Producer(s): Al Schmitt.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: We Can Be Together; Good Shepherd; The Farm; Hey Frederick.

Side 2: Turn My Life Down; Wooden Ships; Eskimo Blue Day; A Song For All Seasons; Meadowlands; Volunteers.

Label/Format: RCA Victor– original UK format (please see label scan).

Label Condition: Some age or handling dulling seen under angled light but spindle marks are only light, very light indeed on side two. Very small chipping around hole rim on side one, none on two.

Cat Number: SF 8076 (XPRS 0255).

Weight of this Record: 152 grams. a real heavyweight, only the first issues were ever pressed this vast weight, the similar looking repressings were substantially thinner as this label notoriously reduced the vinyl content of their records into the 1970s.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: First issues are scarcer. The main issue I find with this album is the sound quality. I have stated several times in my listings that RCA pressings are hugely variable, and this title I have always found the most difficult to find cleanly pressed. Indeed, I have just given away two copies of this album that failed to hit the mark for clean sound with considerable crackle and distortion, this too, on two clean looking copies that appeared hardly played. It just goes to show that nothing can be taken for granted on number of plays or lack of marks. Even brand new records that were not well pressed or used inferior vinyl will sound terrible. This copy for most, plays very well indeed with only a little crackle noted on the final short title song. I have all too rarely ever heard a ‘perfect’ ‘Volunteers’, and like several other RCA records of this era and a little beyond I could name, it is a really hard one to find that will satisfy the more discerning listener. I take sound quality very seriously, and if any record does not please me, I will not offer it. The truth of the matter is, if I waited for an absolutely pristine sounding copy of this album, well I probably would never offer it at all. That would be a shame, as I regard this as one of the greatest albums of the late 60s. Do not underestimate just how hard this is find with worthy sound.

Original Year of Release: 1969.

Matrix Nos: XPRS 0255-1 / XPRS 0256-1.

Brief Artist & Album Info: The album that made sure the 60s ended with a bang rather than a whimper - this was issued in November 1969 and this easily ranks for me as one of the greatest albums ever made, not just from this fabulous decade. Still recording for RCA, an ultra conservative label at this time, this album stretched relations to their very limits. Volunteers is a highly political album, with a very much left of centre approach - RCA knew they had one of America’s biggest potential bands and when the group insisted on using the word ‘Motherf****r’ in their lyrics on ‘We Can Be Together’ it made them so nervous they delayed it’s issued for a week - the band refused to compromise and insisted the word was not to be cut. And the band won the argument — We are forces of chaos and anarchy; Everything they say we are we are; And we are very proud of ourselves; Up against the wall; Up against the wall motherf****r; Tear down the walls — powerful stuff indeed and Slick never holds back on other song’s lyrics either. Most of the titles have strong political overtones, only the countryesque ‘The Farm’ is a little lightweight, the only ‘filler’ song on the whole album. ‘Hey Frederick’ has blatent sexuality when Grace sings ‘either go away or go all the way in, look at what you hold’ - what a vocalist this lady is, she is still the greatest female rock singer ever in my opinion - the power and brutal honesty in her voice was second to none. People easily forget what a magnificent band The Jefferson Airplane were, true this was their last classic album but this, and that went before is 60s music at it’s very best and all should be included in any serious collection. A class act with few equals, it’s just a shame generally they were not treated favourably well in the UK. They were ahead of their time and all their albums still have genuine cutting edge. This album would probably just about be my favourite from one of my all-time favourite bands. My biggest problem with it is finding a decent pressed UK copy – and that is the truth. The sound is never wonderful production-wise either, some songs a little flat and muted, but that totally out my control of course, that’s just the way it is. But pressing quality is also a huge factor as mentioned further up. This copy is not pristine, but does at least offer almost the best sound you will get apart from the final short title song that does have a little crackle. Compared to some I have heard, including the two I recently gave away, this is a very fine example and for those who want better sound from an original, this could be the one. Being totally honest, I have heard much later pressings that actually are cleaner pressed than the earlier ones, but as most of the serious collectors want originals, this may almost be as good as they get.

Cover Grade and Format: NEAR EXCELLENT: this is a very heavily-made original cover. A gatefold format with laminate on the front and back. The inside is matt finished. The reason this cover is so heavy is it used triple thickness card (three glued layers). Later ones were lighter, it was printed and made in England by Robert Stace and like the all the UK-made versions, it did not include any insert sheet.

Laminate – Front & Back: Very slightly aged with a few blemishes: a small peel on the front top left corner and a little mild burring of the edges with a little light discolouration. The laminate retains a fine shine and clarity with any dulling light seen under light. With near full adhesion – a couple of minor small light lifts on the spine only – and hardly any creasing. Some of the original freshness has gone, but on a cover now into it’s forties, that is so often the case. These early triple thickness ones are harder to find and they do not wear too well overall, so overall, both sides look highly respectable and I feel many collectors will be more than happy.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Very minor and fine traces of darkening near the edges but little else to really fault. Remember, later versions of this cover also dropped the gatefold format, so the very colourful sandwich artwork was lost.

Top Edges: Some darkening but little real wear as such.

Bottom Edges: These resting edges have moderate rubbing, but being a pale cover, it has lesser visual impact.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Fairly sharp with minimal traces of burring or thickening. The front is sealed so the record enters on the back edge, the outer of which is double thickness making three layers in all on just the back side – this is quite an unusual design in that respect. Both edges are guaranteed untrimmed.

Spine and Text: Solid and quite thick with full laminate protection with no peeling. Straight the mimimal compression and all text perfect.

Corners: A little darkened and rubbed, but overall, fine shape is retained.

Cover Summary: Never the easiest of covers, but any wear is mild and light with any ageing modest. It should please many collectors but not the perfectionists. An unlined RCA records inner is included in equally near excellent condition. Unlined, open windows with very crisp circles. Some darkening but hardly any creasing and all edges secure with no repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT: and this being very conservative. Clean with fine shine and very few surface marks, intense black and heavily pressed. Compare this to later repressings that were very thin indeed. Visually a very nice record that should please many collectors again.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This much better pressed example than so many I have heard before, plays up to it’s high visual grading and most-all above with little to fault. The only noteworthy crackle was noted on the final short title song, this does have a little intermittent pressing sound – but not too much – barely any elsewhere (or it would not have been offered). Those annoying crackles and pressing sounds that blight so many copies of this classic album, are largely absent, and that makes something of a change. Many crackle and distort throughout and not the case here. Not the most stunning of productions, that out of my control of course, that is just the way it is, but the earliest copies do at least offer the most detail, of that, there is no doubt. So a fine copy overall and one many collectors will be happy with. Like the cover, not for the perfectionist, but will a truly pristine perfect one ever surface?

End Piece: A true classic and controversial album that still, even today sounds powerful, using that taboo word (phrase) was always going to shock and this alone stands as a first (as far as I know anyway). Powerful and uncompromising, brilliant songs and great psych electric guitars with stunning vocals by Slick and Kantner. This really was the last of the golden era for this amazing and gifted band, their sound and legacy must never be allowed to fade away. As I said this ended the greatest period in rock music history with a bang…not a whimper. Classic is too small a word for this one – at least, a UK original that almost does it full justice.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or prompt payment is a problem, please do not bid.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 7,000+ items sold in nearly 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied. If you cannot pay, DO NOT BID.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £10. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £14. Add £4 per extra LP. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.