Meddle 1U/1U

I sold another 1U/1U first pressing last month and this is practically as good as that one!  It plays with wonderful audio for the vast majority and the clarity and depth of the sound is stunning.  A 'high end' first press with very little interference. 

The fully textured gatefold has been very well preserved and the original 'Harvest' inner is also in excellent condition with no splits.

SHVL 795 // A - 1U / B - 1U // GG 1 / AT 1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 1 intro Ex / track 5 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / VG for a few seconds)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

This vinyl retains a superb glossy sheen and has been looked after extremely well down the years.  There is some spindle wear although not an excessive amount and there are no scratches to be seen.  There are only a small number of hairlines and it really is a very impressive example of a first pressing and it would be difficult to find a 'cleaner' one than this and there are no scratches.  With super clean labels and run out grooves it doesn't get a lot better than this!

Play grading  

'One Of These Days' often has some static/crackle on the intro but this one is very impressive indeed.  There is a little static but in no way can it be classified as crackle and it is very much in the background anyway and there are no clicks or pops.  You can hear the 'blowing wind' perfectly and there is also only a minimal amount of static on the bass section.  As Gilmour joins the playback is stunning and this continues as Mason's powerful drum beat comes in.  From then on the track plays with great depth and resonance and there is barely any background static.  As the volume and pace pick up there is no loss of quality and rarely will you hear it play as clearly as this.  This 'louder' section grades as Mint- the clarity and power is stunning.  The quiet 'wind' section at the end is so 'clean' and has only a modicum of mega light static.

The segue into 'A Pillow Of Winds' is nigh on perfect and this track then plays with amazing clarity.  This really is a 'high end' version and is basically plays 'as new'.  Each note is crystal clear and this is further evidence of a vinyl that has been so well preserved down the years.  I cannot explain adequately just how perfect the audio is here.  Is this a 48 year old vinyl?  I know Mint when I hear it and this is it!  From beginning to end there is not one iota of interference.  The clarity and warmth is second to none and even the long fade plays with perfect precision.  A stunning version.

'Fearless' is exceptional from start to finish and you could not wish for finer audio.  It is as 'clear' as the day when first released back in '71 and even the two relatively quiet sections play with immaculate precision.  There are only a couple of dust ticks and a minimal hint of static at the end of the 'You'll Never Walk Alone' section.

'San Tropez' plays to the same impeccable standard with no interference at all.  This 'high end' audio is so rarely heard today and especially on a genuine first 1U/1U press.  This is another Mint- track and again the fade out plays perfectly.

The intro on 'Seamus' plays with stunning clarity and continues in much the same way.  There is just a minimal amount of mega light static on the final minute but it is not intrusive and perhaps not even worthy of mention.  It is so minor and so much in the background but again I just mention it to be 'complete' in my grading.  It is still a wonderful version!

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The intro on 'Echoes' always has some 'background' as any Floyd fan knows and it is just a question of how much.  I am delighted to say there is only a modicum of very light static on the opening few grooves and it then plays with a clarity that I have so rarely heard before.  It is so quiet and yet there is barely any 'background', the playback is stunning.  This is easily one of the 'cleanest' intros that I have heard in a long time.  Once Gilmour comes in you can hear each delicate note of his guitar perfectly and whilst there is one static click soon after the clarity nevertheless remains very impressive and there is no other intrusion.  As the vocal begins the playback could not be any better, it is stunning!  There is such a strong depth and warmth to the sound and it continues to play with fantastic clarity to the end of the first vocal section.  There are a couple of clicks on the instrumental passage that follows but then normal service is resumed!  The solo guitar section is quite simply mind-blowing, Mint without doubt.  As the bass section then comes in there is no 'let up' in quality and aside from a couple of barely audible dust ticks this is audio of the highest order.  The bass here is incredible as is the overall depth of the sound and rarely have I heard this section plays with such sharp definition.  It is an incredible listen!  The lead in to the 'whale section' is so impressive and there is barely any static.  Thereafter there are a small number of light static sounds but no more than what you would expect on a vinyl of this age.  It still plays with wonderful clarity and there are no clicks or pops, just a minimal amount of static as I say.  The keyboard section leading out of it does have 6/7 static click sounds but then plays with excellent clarity.  As the music builds the audio is breathtaking and there is barely any 'background'.  As the volume gradually increases the playback is just sensational!  The audio is exceptional and even the 'jangling' guitar section has hardly any of the distortion that you so often associate with it.  The quality just gets better and better as you approach the final verse!  This vocal then plays 'as new' and the audio from then on is again hugely impressive.  This louder section is faultless and exudes terrific power and clarity and no distortion whatsoever.  The end section that brings this track to a close then plays with superb precision and only mega light static on the final few grooves.  This is a highly creditable version of this classic, not quite perfect as I have described, but the vast majority does play with stunning quality.

In summary this fantastic first press will not disappoint the keen collector.  The clarity on both sides is of a very high standard and whilst there are a small number of static clicks on 'Echoes' the remainder of the track is one of the 'cleanest' and strongest versions I have ever heard and for the intro to play so well is indeed a rarity.  As per all my records I playtest every second so as to provide a comprehensive grading and the majority of this 1U/1U first pressing plays with remarkable clarity and depth.

The Gatefold

This fully textured G&L cover is one of the 'cleanest' you will find and it visually it is very impressive.  The edges are in wonderful condition with barely any rubbing and the spine, so often found with a lot of wear, is in great shape with only a couple of mega small rub marks.  Rarely it is still 100% legible!  There is also only a minor amount of corner wear on all sides (very minor!) and the opening edge barely any handling wear.  The front and back covers are beautifully clean with no markings and the inside of the gatefold is also very clean.  So often the predominantly 'white' background suffers from marking/wear but I am pleased to say it is incredibly clean here with only a small number of very faint marks around the top of the spine area.  The textured inside really is in lovely condition!  This is fine example of this gatefold and you will not find many better than this.

Inner sleeve

The original poly-lined EMI/Harvest inner is in excellent condition with no splits and only a little age related fading around the edges. There is a hardly any creasing either.  'Ummagumma' and 'The Madcap Laughs' are advertised amongst others.

The labels

The yellow/green Harvest labels are in superb order with no marking or writing just some spindle wear as stated.  They have retained their original colour incredibly well.

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

SHVL 795 // A - 1U / B - 1U // GG 1 / AT 1

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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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

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