KING CRIMSON STARLESS AND BIBLE BLACK A2/B3 SUPERB FINAL UPGRADE AUDIO MINT-
£
72
$
95
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.
King Crimson : Starless And Bible Black A2/B3
This first press is STUNNING! The audio on both sides plays with impeccable quality and as you can see from my grading below there is basically no interference. The clarity, depth and power of the audio is first class and you can tell it has hardly been played based on the audio and that there is hardly any spindle wear. This is another FINAL UPGRADE album that I am selling.
The vinyl is visually in fantastic condition and the textured cover has also been so well preserved down the years. The lyric inner is also in superb shape. An interesting point of note is that the S1 label has a smooth texture but the S2 one has a rough texture.
ILPS 9275 // A 2M S.D. / B 3M Sean + Ray (etched)
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint+)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The gatefold is Near Mint-
The labels are Near Mint
The lyric inner is Near Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an lovely jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches. Under a strong light I can only see a couple of very faint sleeve removal hairlines on each side and at first glance it looks brand new! There is no groove wear, no mottling and the labels are unmarked apart from a couple of spindle traces on each side.
Play grading
'The Great Deceiver' plays with great power and depth from the get and 'as new' is about right. The vocal section then plays with remarkable clarity and again the depth of the audio is just so impressive. I detected just a hint of barely audible static in a couple of sections but so quiet you could miss it. It continues to play with stunning quality to the end and in truth it plays like it has never been played before. A Mint- start to the album.
The intro on 'Lament' has no background and first verse plays beautifully with no intrusion. It continues in the same precise way with no ticks, clicks or pops and no static either. From start to finish there are no negatives and Mint is very much deserved. Again it's the depth of the audio that really stands out. The bass is so strong and the power of the audio is immense!
The quiet intro on 'We'll Let You Know' plays so clearly with only a small number of dust ticks and this instrumental proceeds in the same way with no interference. The playback is phenomenal and 'as new' is an accurate description. Mint-
The very quiet intro on 'The Night Watch' plays to perfection and as it builds there is no let up in quality. The opening vocal has no background and from then on plays with impeccable precision with no sign of any interference. This is another Crimson album that has been so well preserved and I just cannot find fault with the audio. The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio throughout is stunning and Mint is an easy grade to give.
'Trio' has an even quieter intro and yet all I heard were a handful of very light static ticks that are in no way intrusive, the clarity is again so impressive. There are a couple of quiet ticks about one minute in and from then on this instrumental plays with sublime precision. If not quite Mint it is certainly Near Mint+ it is a beautiful version.
'The Mincer' ends the side with a clarity of sound that is crystal clear from the first note to the last. With not even a single dust tick this is audio of the highest quality and Mint is deserved.
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'Starless And Bible Black' once again provides further evidence of a vinyl hardly played. From the very first note the clarity cannot be faulted and for such a quiet track the playback is exceptional. I cannot put into words just how STUNNING the audio is although putting it in capitals helps! As it gets louder it continues to play 'as new' and this quality is kept up to the very end. Bruford's drumming adds so much here and especially on the second half of the track not forgetting Fripp's incredible work of course. This is Mint every day of the week. Wow!
The quiet intro on 'Fracture' plays so well with only a couple of inconsequential light ticks and from then on plays to the highest standard...with no interference. No surprise there! The quiet sections play with remarkable clarity and the powerful end section cannot be faulted. The entire 11 minutes play with exceptional quality and I am confident in grading it as Mint- and I would not be surprised if it had never been played before. The playback is absolutely breathtaking!
In summary this album plays to a sensational standard the likes of which are rarely found today. In essence there is no interference and I only downgraded 'Trio' due to a small number of mega light ticks that do intrude on the audio in any way at all. The playback is stunning throughout and this is easily a FINAL UPGRADE pressing. It is patently obvious this record has hardly been played, the clarity is just amazing! Together with a superb cover and lyric inner this would add to any Mint collection.
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The textured cover is in superb condition and the only visible wear is one faint sticker mark top right and an even fainter mark top left. The edges and wide spine are perfect, there is barely any corner wear and the opening edge has only the lightest of handling wear. The front cover is so clean and the back cover is even better with no marking. The inside of the gatefold is immaculate. A stunning example overall.
The lyric inner has no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
ILPS 9275 // A 2M S.D. / B 3M Sean + Ray (etched)
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!
Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you
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Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!
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Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS! IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT. I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!
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