JEFFERSON AIRPLANE Volunteers RARE US Quadaphonic MINT

	£		83
	$		110

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World

Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down & All Shipping Costs and Options.

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 – US Quadradisc format with matt finish.

Label Condition: Both in Mint condition with no spindle marks to be seen.

Cat Number: APD1-0320.

Weight of this Record: 107 grams. a more typical lightweight pressing from the US at this time.

Mode: Quadraphonic [plays stereo on standard stereo equipment].

Country of Manufacture: US.

Rarity: Quite rare: these were issued for specialist audiophile collectors who were prepared to spend vast sums on specialist 4-channel sound systems of the day. What is important for collectors who will mainly enjoy this record in standard stereo is the fact the mix is different and on some tracks VERY different. The title track itself is nothing like the standard issue with a totally different representation of the song. I had never heard this before and it’s fantastic. The whole album is far more open with less of that compressed sound of the original making for a more enjoyable listen. Not only that, the pressing quality is fantastic, I could hardly believe, checking through my archives, I had not offered this, one of my favourite albums of all-time, for around five years. The main reason, of the ones I have seen looking good enough to offer, the UK RCA pressing quality has let it down. So often it crackles and even has distortion. I have mentioned RCA indifferent and very variable pressing standards here before and I could list many albums that disappoint on this label. However, this US Quad copy was a pure joy from start to finish with nothing to fault at all. Superior in every respect if clean audio quality is demanded. Obviously, RCA were not going to cut to many corners issuing a specialist mix for the discerning buyers were they? Not only that, this 1973 pressing was possibly unplayed before my hugely enjoyable sound check. The cover still had it’s original shrinkwrap which I decided to remove (but kept and will include), it was open on the right edge however, so the record may have been removed and used maybe once. I know sometimes these Quad records include a specialist inner or insert sheet, I honestly do not know if this did or did not, but it has not got one included anyway. The record was inside a plain white unlined inner. So a rare and limited 4-channel Quad issue of this classic album, it will not be seen or offered often that’s for sure.

Original Year of Release: 1969. This specialist pressing was issued in 1973 in the United States.

Matrix Nos: APD1-0320 A-10 [1111-11] / APD1-0320 B-10 [1111-11].

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, its 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. So when offered this US-press Quadradisc, I simply could not resist it. I had heard of this but never actually seen or heard one. It does NOT disappoint, it sounds far better in almost every way. Firstly, the pressing quality is very high with no crackle, pressing sounds, pops, clicks or distortion. Secondly, this sounds far more open with more detail and clarity. And thirdly, the mix is uniquely different, and on some parts, very different, the title song, as mentioned already, sounds so different, it may have been re-recorded totally with the guitar-intro totally new. At last, a copy that can be played with confidence and maximum pleasure guaranteed, this I feel is a little special.

Cover Grade and Format: MINT(-): this was truly still inside it’s stretch-seal plastic inner as wrapped when new – except the opening edge was open. This was removed and retained and will be included to any winning bidder. The cover is made with thick card and is a single unlaminated format with matt surfaces. The back has the paste-on style panel and the front has the ‘Quadradisc’ logo. Printed and made in the USA.

Cover – Front & Back: As you would expect, both sides look practically as new. Just minimal rub traces to the exposed opening black edge but we are talking minuscule. I will waste no more time, this will rarely, if ever be found better.

Top Edge: Unworn.

Bottom Edge: Unworn.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with no wear, any chipping to the front black is measured in microns. Record entered on right outside back edge.

Spine and Text: As made, black and unworn with all text pristine.

Corners: Any tiny whites to the black corners would almost certainly have been present from new. Ultra faint semi-crease traces to the right pair, this being very critical.

Cover Summary: A superb all round example of this quite rare Quad cover, it simply blows-away it’s years, this is still fast approaching 40 but looks made almost yesterday, all fans will enjoy this one. The plain unlined white inner is also practically as made with no edge splits.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT: simply because it looks unplayed with no spindle marks, I rarely will use this so often abused term, but if I cannot on this one, I will never will at all. Super clean, shiny, jet black, and fairly solidly pressed with barely a surface trace to be seen. Remarkable for any imported US record, few will be seen like this for sure. Visually a stunning record that should please all collectors.

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: I had to play this of course, in fact I could hardly wait – and it failed to disappoint. This super record plays up to it’s high visual grading with nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear and more detail is apparent than from any other copy I have yet heard. This is a totally unique and far more open sounding ‘Volunteers’, the mix varies and the title song is completely different. Those annoying crackles and pressing sounds that are regularly included within even the first UK pressings are totally absent and with potentially unplayed copy (prior to my play-grade) offers quite possibly the best sound available. Clearly well stored and the original shinkwrap still included, my sound-check could have been it’s first. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this classic album. I reitterate: this quad mix plays perfectly on standard stereo equipment with a mix that is very interesting to the discerning sound purist. This copy will prove near impossible to find better for looks and sound and merits my highest possible recommendation.

End Piece: A very fine vintage copy, setting a very high standard that will appeal to all collectors. A 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 – enjoy in the rare Quad mix on a pristine record, this is truly unmissable.

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.

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 promp 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 stiffners 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 will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

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 [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 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 [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance 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’.