James Taylor Greatest Hits * TEST PRESSING * Wonderful

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Warner Brothers James Taylor Greatest Hits BS-2979 Test Pressing
Used and opened mega-rare Warner Brothers Test Pressing!!!

This is the mega-rare test pressing of the 1976 edition of James Taylor's Greatest Hits from Warner Brothers.  This album was never sealed as it was intended to test the master recording. This record is still in the original plain off-white jacket and has been in the paper inner sleeve since it was made.  The jacket and inner paper sleeve are both very yellowed from age.  As you can see in the photos above, the jacket is marked "BS 2979 James Taylor" and above that it says "Ron Needham".
Also included is the test pressing track sheet as shown in the pictures.  This is from Lorrie Janson and it's dated Oct 12, 1976.
Most people like early pressings because the masters were still clean and not worn down. It doesn't get any earlier than this one.  This one is before Warner Brothers cranked up their massive production on this platinum record!
Only a handful of these test pressings were made back in 1976 and most were mishandled. Did another test pressing of JT's Greatest Hits survive?  Don't know, this the only one I've ever seen.
So the million dollar question is: After 45 years of sitting in it's jacket...
How does it sound? I'm listening to it now at very high volume.  This one is pretty easy to grade... there is some minor surface noise in places and a few minor ticks but it's also surprisingly present and alive and it's the best recording of this record that I have ever heard.  I haven't cleaned the vinyl and maybe that would knock out the ticks - but I don't know that for sure.  If you can live with a very small amount of minor surface noise and a few minor ticks then this might be the record for you because this is a very good recording.  IMO, this is almost audiophile quality sound.  Close but not quite... still very good though.  I've been an audiophile since 1974 and in my opinion, this is an excellent recording of a really nice album.  Close your eyes and you're back in 1976 with JT walkin' down a country road.
I'm listening to this one completely right now and I'm pretending to be play grading it. Fact is I'm just enjoying it!  Wow, this takes me back to a wonderful time.  My system is all McIntosh tubes (150w/ch) and VPI turntable to Wilson speakers.  Vinyl + tubes = how God intended it to be! :)
Ratings Vinyl Quality = EX-, some surface noise, a few minor ticks, excellent sound Cosmetic Quality = Poor, jacket shows age, never sealed, no splits, no dings

This is a great album and a wonderful chance to own a piece of 70's rock history: a very early test pressing of James Taylor Greatest Hits!
Warner Brothers James Taylor Greatest Hits Test Pressing

Payment must be made within 3 days or the auction is void.  Please don't bid unless you're serious about paying for this very rare record.  Please don't offer me weird payment schemes, PayPal works just fine.  Buyer pays for shipping and any insurance needed.  Yes, I ship to other countries but not all so please ask first.  I only ship to the registered address.  I declare full final auction value on customs forms.
I ship via USPS Priority Mail unless instructed otherwise.  Always perfect packaging!
If you have any questions please ask before you bid!
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Good luck and happy record hunting!