PINK FLOYD Meddle A-1U/B-1U 1st PRESS Lovely TEXTURED COVER & Superb AUDIO NM/M-
£
182
$
241
£ 182
Sold For
Apr 21, 2024
Sold Date
Apr 11, 2024
Start Date
20
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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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. No shipping to Russia currently.
Pink Floyd : Meddle A-1U / B-1U 1st Press 1971
This first pressing is easily one of the finest examples I have ever listened to. The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is incredible! There are no clicks or pops, no intrusion at all basically aside from a couple of seconds of light static on S2. I cannot emphasise enough how well this classic album plays and it qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing in my opinion. S1 is spectacular in every way and the classic 'Echoes' is up there with the best I have ever heard. If you are lucky enough to win this fine album just take careful note of the intros on both sides, they so rarely play with such sublime clarity! It is a very early first pressing also with just one stamper on S1.
The vinyl is visually stunning and has been so well preserved by one owner only. There is only one barely visible spindle trace on each label and it is patently obvious the record has hardly been played, the sonic quality confirms that. I cannot remember when I last saw a more stunning example.
The fully textured cover is in great condition with only very minimal shelf wear and there is nothing that stands out. For once the spine is 100% in tact! The original Harvest inner is also in excellent order with no side splits etc.
SHVL 795 // A - 1U / B - 1U // P 2 / AD 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 ranges between Near Mint and Mint- (vast majority is Mint-!)
The fully textured gatefold is Ex+
The labels are Mint-
The original Harvest inner is Ex+
Visual description
The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches. Under a bright light I can only see a relatively small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines that obviously have no impact on the audio. The yellow / green Harvest labels are more or less with just one tiny faint spindle trace on each.
Play grading
The clarity of sound during the gentle 'wind' intro on 'One Of These Days' is stunning! It is the cleanest I have listened to in many a year and has no interference at all, not even a dust tick. I'm not sure I've ever heard a Mintintro on this classic opening track but we definitely have one here. The iconic bass intro from Waters is just as impressive with only a couple of mega light statics at the beginning that scarcely deserve a mention. As Mason comes in closely followed by Gilmour the audio is so deep and strong and again there is zero intrusion. The next stand alone bass / Dr Who (!) section plays to the same high end standard and each note is just so sharp and precise and you 'notice' things you generally wouldn't. Mason's next 'solo' is faultless and there is just one very light tick during the 'vocal' but again so quiet and totally non-intrusive. From then on it plays with phenomenal power and depth and I just cannot fault it. There is 'going on' here and yet the sonic quality is equal to that in '71. The final 'wind' section again shows plays with STUNNING clarity without any background and Mint- is richly deserved here although I am sure the vast majority would say Mint! It is the most 'complete' version I have ever heard and that is my honest opinion not a selling technique! A sensational start.
The segue into 'A Pillow Of Winds' is 'as new' and it then plays with sublime clarity, depth and warmth through every vocal and instrumental section. As always I listen to every track in full and there is not even a single dust tick here let alone anything more including the fade out. It is Mint I can pay it no higher compliment.
With complete silence in the dead wax the intro on 'Fearless' plays perfectly and Gilmour's opening vocal is just as clean. The following instrumental which of course includes a quieter section is 'as new' and the next vocal passage is equal to that with zero background. I have to mention the depth of sound again, it could not be any stronger and the clarity is just exceptional - the closing instrumental / You'll Never Walk Alone... vocal is a prime example of that. There is no static distortion, no ticks or clicks etc and I am confident in grading this track as Mint it is that good.
'San Tropez' plays like the preceding tracks i.e. like it hasn't been played before! The clarity and definition of the audio is faultless - with audio this clean each note is kind of enhanced in a way, sonically you miss nothing. From start to finish this is as Mint as the first day it was pressed. The closing piano section provides further evidence of that.
'Seamus' is a track that is so often affected by static / crackle but that is not the case here. The acoustic intro and vocal section play perfectly and there is just one very quiet dull tick during the closing instrumental. In fact 'tick' is too strong a word for it as it is so much in the background. A stunning version regardless and Mint- is still a fair assessment of the audio. What a side of music!
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The sonar intro on 'Echoes' is superb! The first few grooves often play with some static etc and yet the clarity of sound is so impressive here. A handful of dull background sounds that is not interference as such, more the stylus running through the grooves but no dust or static ticks and no clicks either. The first minute or so is more or less perfect and that is such a rarity, listen very carefully and you can hear each subtle tone in the music. Gilmour's first introduction does indeed play to perfection and the opening vocal section has no intrusion either. There are a couple of very quiet statics during the next brief instrumental and the next vocal passage is 'as new' for sure. Wonderful clarity and depth of sound again. The next instrumental is just as strong and clear and I only 'picked up' a couple of non-intrusive quiet statics. Gilmour's guitar work here is phenomenal and this section just could not play with any greater precision. The 'bass' section that starts around the 7 minute mark once more shows just how well this vinyl has been preserved - the depth and resonance of the audio is INCREDIBLE! This passage lasts for over 4 minutes and there is no interference whatsoever. The often problematic 'whale' section just has a couple of minor statics near the start but then plays so clearly with barely any background. A couple of minor static ticks and then just a touch of static for two seconds at the end of this piece. The next part of the instrumental led by Wright is quiet and yet the clarity is superb, not even a dust tick here. As it builds the playback does not falter and again each note is just so clean and precise. It culminates in Gilmour's 'jangly' guitar sequence which for once has no static distortion, another rarity. I keep going on about clarity and again the clarity of sound here is quite simply on another level. The volume builds and the audio is 'as new' still and the final verse is of the same exact standard. The powerful instrumental that follows is equal to that and the closing section then plays with stunning precision. The 'soaring' finale is outstanding with no background on the fade out and it rounds off this classic perfectly. Throughout the entire 23+ minutes there is not a single click or pop and you do not need me to tell you how rare that is! I would say ranging between Near Mint and Mint is an honest appraisal of the audio but 98% to 99% is definitely in the Mint category! A breathtaking version.
In summary this genuine first press plays to a standard so rarely found today. In a way I'm not surprised based on the stunning visual look of the vinyl but you never know until you play it. There were no issues fortunately. S1 is absolutely stunning and S2 plays with a sonic quality you rarely find - with only a couple of seconds of static it is difficult to find fault. As stated this is a record that has hardly been played and the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio certainly reflects that. This has to grade as a FINAL UPGRADE version as it could hardly play any better, the highlights are too numerous to mention! Every track is a highlight! A superb album in every way.
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The textured G & L cover is in lovely condition with only the bare minimum of wear. The edges have next to no rubbing and in fact the only 'wear' is some light rubbing next to the right hand corners of the front cover. The spine is so clean (for once) and remains 100% legible with only a little wear on the top corner, just slightly angled also. The right hand corners are very clean with only very minimal wear and the opening edge has no handling wear. The front cover is in superb shape with only a couple of very minor corner creases and the back cover is stunning without any marking. The inside of the gatefold remains very 'white' with only a couple of very faint blemishes and just slight creasing around the top of the inner spine area, nothing obvious though. A small corner crease top right but there is nothing that stands out... anywhere! A fine example overall and rarely found as strong and clean as this today.
The original poly-lined EMI Harvest inner has no side splits, just one tiny 'nick' on the top edge. It has only very minimal age related fading and only a little creasing.
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
SHVL 795 // A - 1U / B - 1U // P 2 / AD 1
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the topsGREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM
Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.
Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++
Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.
Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!
Great item and seller (no.1), many thanks from ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic! Record as Described! Excellent Packaging and Fast Overseas Shipping!
One of the best on Ebay!
Another amazing record from this exceptional seller. Absolutely delighted!
Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!
Postage & Packaging
I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping. This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage. The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered. Any over-payment will always be refunded.
The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD). An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known. Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing. Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Many thanks.
All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection. They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection. I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.
The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each. There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up! Not forgetting that eBay take 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
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra
If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed. If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!
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