KRAFTWERK (LP/33rpm), AUTOBAHN, 1974, EMI EMC 203 (N.Zealand) Reissue NM-EX

$

20

KRAFTWERK with their album entitled "AUTOBAHN."  From 1974.  On EMI EMC 203 light yellow label.  Produced by Ralf Hutter and Florian Schneider.  Nicely etched matrix reads:  EMC 203A.  This EMI version is a re-issue in that the cover is a little different, even though still 1974.  This is the first sleeve version with instrument panel showing on the front cover with their photos there and the back cover is their photo sitting in the back seat of the car.  I understand this was released on EMI only in New Zealand.  On the back cover at the bottom right corner there is a sticker that says something about EMI... and distributed by EMI Music Group... Sydney, Australia and Lower Hutt,.... rights of the producer, etc.  Some I can't read because there is a sticker covering the words.  But the yellow EMI label does say Manufactured in New Zealand around the circle of the label.

Side 1:  Autobahn (22:30 min)
Side 2:  Komentenmelodie 1; Kometenmelodie 2; Mitternacht; Morgenspaziergang

Cover is in great condition with shrink wrap on it, but opened at the right seam to let the record out.  No marks anywhere.  Inner sleeve is a fitted clear light plastic sleeve.  The light yellow label looks great. 

The vinyl:  I only see about 5 light long surface scratches, unfeelable, and had to study it under a bright lamp to see this.  Side 2 I see 2 super light surface scratches and one is in the dead wax matrix.  Played it through on my Technics turntable with flying colors.  Was pretty crisp and clear.  But I did hear on occasion a light crackle here and there during a quieter moment.  It was absolutely nothing major, but I was purposely listening for any noise whatsoever.  The vinyl is shiny and at first glance looks super until you see the few light scratches on that Side 1 under the bright lamp.  But that's it.  Overall the sound was super. 

I rate the cover sleeve as Near Mint (NM).  I will give the vinyl an Excellent (EX) to Near Mint (NM) only because I see a few surface scratches on Side 1, but they did not really affect the sound performance.

___________________________________________________________________________________________

SHIPPING:  Will ship within one-two days of receiving payment via Paypal and will ship between Monday and Friday. Will ship in 45 rpm and LP mailers with inserts and bubblewrap for protection. Will provide tracking number also within the USA. Ships out of the Cleveland, Ohio area. I will ship via First Class mail to Great Britain, Germany, France, Netherlands, and Japan for $13.00 shipping charges on one to two 7-inch 45 rpm records (under 8 oz.) and $21.00 for 12-inch albums (over 9 oz.). Canada shipments are $10.00 for one or two 7-inch 45 rpm records (under 8 oz) and $15.00 for a 12" LP or two (over 9 oz).  (Postage rates increased in 2016 for non-USA countries, unfortunately!)  For overseas countries, Ebay will email you the invoice which includes this shipping charge over and above the winning bid. You are responsible for customs' duties charges, if any.

Feel free to email me for more information on an item.  If you end up buying more than 2 records at once, I can combine postage and send you a bit of money back via Paypal.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Guidelines I use to rate the quality of these records (based on the Goldmine Grading Guide):

NM:Near Mint - Vinyl, still shiny, as if opened for the first time. No writing or stickers on the vinyl. No obvious scratches. Label: No writing or stickers and no fading of the label.

NM-: Near Mint Minus - Similar to NM but will have some very light scratches on the vinyl not affecting the sound quality. No writing or stickers on label and no fading (or ringwear) on cover or label.

EX: Excellent - Not quite a Goldmine Standard Listing, but being used by many now. Cover: No ink wear, minor creases to corners, no seam tears. Vinyl can have scratches, but not felt by your fingers. Sound quality must be mint. No more than 15% of the surface should have wear or scuffs on it. To me, EX is like a VG++.

VG+: Very Good Plus - Similar to NM- except that on the label, there may be a sticker or writing, but it shows very little wear. There may be only a couple light surface scratches on the grooves, but do not affect the playback with noise or skips. You may only see these scratches if you put them under a bright light and really look for them. The cover might have light creasing or minor seam or corner wear, but still in great condition to show off.

VG to VG-: Very Good to Very Good Minus - May not be that shiny anymore and you will see scratches without putting it under a bright light, but they still would not affect the quality of the playback. The sound quality is still pretty good, maybe a little noise, but not enough to detract from the listening experience. The label might have some fading around it, besides having stickers or writing. The cover may have obvious ringwear in the middle or around the perimeter of where the record was, maybe some side seam splits, or little tears at the top or side where the record goes back into. If less defects, then it's a VG. If it has all this just mentioned, then a VG-.

G, G+: Good or Good Plus - It doesn't mean the vinyl is trashed. It plays though without skipping, but may have heavy noise or fuzz sound because of age, quality, or worn-down grooves. Heavy writing or stickers on the label, ringwear is very obvious on label and cover probably has seam splits. But, amazingly, if you have special audio LP recording software, you could probably clean up those crackles and fuzzes, if you want to create a CD of it for yourself.

P: Poor - This is when the vinyl is warped to the point it warps the playback also. Or it's cracked, but it may or may not still play without a skip. If a picture sleeve is with it, this is torn or marked up bigtime. But someone may want to have it for nostalgia or even attempt to fix it.