A Saucerful Of Secrets 1/1

This very early stereo pressing plays with most immaculate audio I have ever heard.  Known as the 4th issue this pressing has two EMI logos on the labels and the S2 label is still numbered incorrectly - 1, 2 & 4.  The vinyl is pristine and there is no spindle wear either.  I would say it has only ever been played the once and maybe not at all, the quality of the audio certainly suggests that.

The cover is also in immaculate condition and 'Gilmour' is spelt as 'Gilmore' on both the cover and the S2 label as per all the early pressings.

SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 1 // RM 1 / AL 2

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the vast majority)

The laminated cover is Near Mint

The labels are Mint

The inner sleeve is Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is immaculate!  I have never seen a more visually stunning 1/1 stereo press and it retains a perfect jet-black glossy sheen.  I have never seen one as 'clean' as this!  I cannot detect any hairlines even and of course there are no scratches or marks.  I suspect that it has only ever been played the once and maybe never at all judging by the total lack of spindle wear and the stunning quality of the audio.  It is practically 'shop new' and the labels and run out grooves are also in fantastic condition.  This is one beautifully preserved vinyl.

Play grading  

With barely any lead in static you're immediately thinking this is going to play well and the audio does not disappoint!  The intro on 'Let There Be More Light' has to be most impressive I have ever heard on such an early 1/1 pressing and I am not exaggerating!  Each note plays with such sharp definition and for example you can hear Mason's cymbal so clearly.  There's clarity and then there's super clarity and this is most distinctly the latter!  Once the vocal begins the clarity and depth is of the same impeccable quality and with only one faint 'tick' the track plays to a superlative to the end.  As stated earlier I would not be surprised if this vinyl had never been played before.  The louder end section is stunning, there is so much instrumentation and of course it is rather loud and yet there is no distortion at all.  There is just the faintest of light static on the fade out.  In my opinion this is Mint- the playback is 'high end' to say the least.

With near complete silence in the dead wax the intro on 'Remember A Day' keeps up the standard and plays without fault.  The first quiet section is nigh on perfect with only a small number of mega light dust ticks, barely audible really.  The vocals are so clear and there are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  From start to finish it plays with exceptional quality and again the definition of the sound is unbelievable.  What is just so amazing is the clarity on the quieter sections and even the fade out plays nigh on perfectly.  The real test will be the next track of course...

The intro on 'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' passes the test with flying colours as we say in the UK!  There is barely any 'background' and the audio is truly spectacular.  This is very nearly 50 years old and for a record of this age to play as clearly as this is a mega rarity.  This is such a quiet track and yet it plays with the most sublime audio I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  The depth and the warmth of the audio is second to none and with only a handful of light dust ticks the playback is mesmeric!  And again there no clicks or pops.  The more I listen to it the more I am awestruck by the stunning quality of the audio here.  You can even hear the seagulls with perfect precision!  The fade out is another highlight and has no 'background' at all.  Wow what a version!

No matter how clean the vinyl 'Corporal Clegg' will always play with some distortion, that is just the way it was recorded.  However, I am delighted to say this version is very impressive and has only a minimal amount.  It is not intrusive and it still plays very clearly indeed.  With no clicks or pops this provides a superb ending to a side that plays with immaculate precision from beginning to end.

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'A Saucerful Of Secrets' has some very light static on the intro but the music can still be heard very clearly.  It is only very minor and is only what you expect on the opening grooves of any track that plays so quietly.  I have played it three times and it gets clearer each time - the stylus will often self-clean the record.  I don't wish to sound negative here, the playback on the intro still plays with remarkable clarity and again there are no clicks, pops or crackle.  Just mega light dust ticks really.  As the volume increases the audio is absolutely stunning and it could not play any better.  The standard here is Mint- without doubt.  There is then complete silence for the two seconds before Mason comes in giving you a great example of the clarity on offer here.  This drum section then plays 'as new' the clarity is truly exceptional.  The very quiet section just prior to the organ plays so cleanly and with only the lightest of background static.  This organ section then plays to a standard that is difficult to put into a words.  A handful of mega light dust ticks but the clarity is again astounding and I'm not sure I have ever heard better!  There is one faint tick at the start of the choral section and it then plays with sublime quality and with none of the distortion that you so often find.  A hint of light static maybe but it is so much in the background as to be negligible.  As the volume builds the more impressive is the audio and the ending is Mint- without question.

'See-Saw' is then stunning from the very first note and has no 'background' from start to finish.  You could wish for better clarity and again there is no distortion and no clicks or pops.  It would be nigh on impossible to find a 'cleaner' version and that isn't me attempting to over-sell it, it is just an honest appraisal of the audio.

'Jugband Blues' ends the album in fine style with, you guessed it, wonderfully clear audio throughout.  This final track will often have some distortion but there is barely any here.  The playback is in fact stunning and the sonic quality and definition of the audio is just jaw-droppingly good!  The brass section plays with immaculate precision and the silent section before Syd's 'final' vocal is just that, completely silent!  This verse plays out the side with great clarity and provides a fitting end to an album that impresses with stunning audio from the first note to the last.

In summary this final upgrade archive 1/1 stereo pressing plays with tremendous clarity and you cannot fail but be impressed by it.  The vinyl is so clean, it looks unplayed and most probably is, and could scarcely play any better.  The clarity and depth of the recording is second to none and whilst this may not be a Blue Columbia first pressing it is still a very early pressing nonetheless and it would be nigh on impossible to find a better one!

The Cover

This non-flipback G&L cover is in beautiful condition!  It has been so well preserved down the years and hardly ever touched.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in perfect condition and there is no corner wear either.  Not only that but the opening edge has no handling wear.  The laminated front cover is so clean and has no marking and only a small number of the usual small creases around the edges.  The back cover is also in fantastic shape with only a handful of minor creases next to the spine.  A stunning example!

Inner sleeve

The original die-cut EMI sleeve is, you guessed it, in superb condition with no side splits, marking or creasing.  Near perfect in other words.

The labels

The black Columbia labels (with two EMI logos on each side) are as perfect as they could possibly be, I have never seen cleaner.  There is no spindle wear and no dulling of their original colour.  Stunning examples.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 1 // RM 1 / AL 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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