PINK FLOYD Piper at the Gates of Dawn UK MONO

	£		360
	$		477

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Artist or Band: PINK FLOYD

Album Title: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

Producer(s): Norman Smith.

A Special Note about this Album and it’s Rarity: Original copies of this psych masterpiece are rare in mono, especially so in top playing conditions. The majority were purchased by younger listeners of the day who were prepared to experiment with groundbreaking ‘weirder’ music and substances. Few were hi-fi connoisseurs who looked after the record well enough for future listening pleasure on more clinical revealing equipment. Most originals are seen totally wrecked, trashed for looks and unlisenable for sound. Thus to discover what I truly believe to be one of the rarest records I have ever offered on Ebay in superb condition was something of a revelation. The first runs of ‘Piper’ in stereo were repressed on the new format Columbia single box format in 1970. But how many know a few mono ones were as well? Well it appears the ‘experts’ in the price guides don’t as they fail to even list this significant major rarity. By the end of the 1960s the mono format had all but disappeared with few records now being made available in the single channel mode. Many listeners had discovered the joys of real stereo via the massive selling ‘Sgt Pepper’ album and the tide had turned. Mono records in the 70s were much, much rarer as price guides and collectors are more than aware. I am certain, very few mono ‘Pipers’ were ever repressed on this label, by now the demand had all but gone. At this time too, it was more unlikely the real significance of the two very different sounding records. Few would have shelled-out on both formats. The mixes on both albums are VERY different and both are essential – I have no preference for either – both are truly astonishing. But the real purists do seem to prefer the mono cut. Few of the earliest examples will ever offer the sound on offer in this slightly later, rare repressing. Most early monos were subjected to unworthy equipment that tracked heavily (usually in excess of 10 grams or more) or subjected to chipped or worn stylus. A sad fact is, few ever changed them as often as they should have done and many blunt stubs were used to play these vintage classics. This album does not tolerate needle abuse well and few will be found that play with high quality sound these days. For Floyd collectors and connoisseurs of the mono format, this is Holy Grail of psych albums – the Floyd legend started here and this is arguably the very best mono record ever issued (certainly in the ‘progressive or psych genre’. Few mono records are deemed important enough to be issued on CD but this was indeed one of them. My play-grade of this record was a revelation and a gateway into the recording studio itself. The sounds embedded into these little used vintage mono grooves took psychedelia and space-rock into a new genre of music and introduced the world to Syd Barrett. The crazy diamond’s masterwork. If you have not experienced ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ on a Columbia pressing, well you probably haven’t really experienced it at all. It has sounds and details that are simply missing from the CD versions. It has depth, power and intricate details that Norman Smith the producer wanted the listener to hear and are unique to the original analogue recording. Some suggest it has hidden subliminal messages that can be heard best via quality headphones. We have all seen this album in mono and stereo trashed and almost written-off for the more discerning collector. All evidence suggests this record has been played very few times. The labels do show some spindle marks but compared to the earlier issue, they pale into insignificance compared to most. The sound quality simply left me aghast with stunning clarity and details and very different delivery of the intricate music and sound. This being the first time I have heard this album in mono since my major upgrade of my LP12, the audio experience was incredible. Absolutely NO WAY inferior to the blue label version, in fact, I have never heard a mono copy that sounded better than this. With barely any traces of crackle and no pops, clicks or distortions, this very rare, very limited repressing will put most others to shame. Being honest, any first issue mono in this visual condition that can offer sound of this quality and clarity would probably fetch a king’s ransom and without any doubt, this is a far, far rarer record anyway. Check out the websites and see if you can even find one. It even includes the same cover as the earliest ‘second’ blue issue with the E. J. Day flipbacked cover and the Pop Groups reference at the top left. This is not just a mono copy for the Pink Floyd completist, it’s an essential listen for audiophile collectors who want to hear the original sound on vinyl without the usual groovewear, surface noise and nasties most early examples unfortunately offer these days. This has never been subjected to any needle abuse and has not been played many times for sure. Both playing surfaces are ultra clean and fresh looking and any of the few surface marks small, faint and non-sounding minor blemishes. How many originals will ever offer that? Remember, distortion and groove-wear cannot be seen, only heard and many early copies will disappoint as I have hard for myself, I will leave them be. This is a massively rare find, of that I am certain, the same record with a new format label and very limited indeed. Of the several very experienced vinyl sellers I have asked about this, none, (yes true) have said they have ever seen or had one before and most also stated they did not even no it existed. Well the proof is here and it will take an extraordinary example to better it for looks and sound. A very rare opportunity indeed, any questions, please ask.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Astronomy Dominé; Lucifer Sam; Matilda Mother; Flaming; Pow R. Toc H. Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk.

Side 2: Intersellar Overdrive; The Gnome; Chapter 24; The Scarecrow; Bike.

Label/Format: Columbia - single box 1970 repress. (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both clean, fresh and very attractive with light+ and less than moderate spindle marks. The hole rims are little short of as made with no give at all and the record is still a very snug fit on my Linn spindle. Knowing the source of this record, I would think it has been played very modestly and without doubt, not on a mono record player.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Cat Number: SX 6157.

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 146 grams. Above average and 6 grams heavier than the last original stereo copy I offered last year.

Rarity: Original blue label monos are quite rare, even more so in excellent or better conditions. This very elusive limited repressing that seems to have by-passed most people’s attention is much rarer still with almost certainly few even issued.

Original Year of Release: 1967. This was likely pressed in 1970.

Matrix Nos: XAX 3419-2 / XAX 3420-1 [All punched exactly the same as the blue label version, NO script]

Mother & Stamper Codes: 1 G O / 1 G G

Musicians: As listed on the back cover: Syd Barrett - lead guitar, vocals; Roger Waters - bass guitar, vocals; Rick Wright - organ, piano; Nicky Mason - drums.

Brief Artist & Album Info: ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ was recorded during the spring of 1967, while The Beatles were at Abbey Road finishing Sgt Pepper, Pink Floyd were upstairs recording an album that would have a similarly immeasurable effect on the development of psychedelic rock. The name taken from the famous children’s books The Wind in the Willows (one of Syd Barrett’s favourite books), this album was a child’s garden of acid, an album-length trip on the effects of LSD on a troubled mind. One of the first ‘head’ albums, it was rumoured that the tracks contained sounds - conversations, even - that one could only hear while tripping. Rumours of subliminal messages hidden in the songs. All very likely, this legendary album is as important now as it always was. The ultimate psychedelic space-ride to the stars and beyond from the incredible mind of a troubled man – a flawed genius that was Syd Barrett. This man gave the early Pink Floyd that wonderful unique sound and eerie spaciness. The era when Richard Wright’s wonderful keyboard skills were fully utilised and blended with Mason’s powerful percussion. The sheer chaos and drama of ‘Interstellar Overdrive’ has to be heard on an original vinyl record to be fully appreciated with its hidden depths and details. Those creepy voices that open the album are a little easier to translate on the mono cut but still remain mysterious and eerie. Each individual instrumental is clearly heard and not just a swathe of mixed sound – it’s an incredibly complex piece of work. Right from the opening sounds of those voices on ‘Astronomy Domine’, the tone is set as the ‘ship’ passes distant planets and their moons. “Jupiter and Saturn, Oberon Miranda and Titania, Neptune Titan, Stars can frighten… youuuuuuuuu”. Incredibly precise mono delivery and practically perfectly focused, this really will get the senses reeling – take up thy stethoscope and walk… and experience the ultimate vinyl mono experience – this will be one of the rarest opportunites you will get from a copy in this condition. This must be regarded as possibly the rarest UK officially issued Pink Floyd album ever, try to find another.

Cover Grade and Format: EX: in terms of real wear, this has little, but the back has an old sticker residue mark on the back (bottom left) and minor glue residue traces near the spine flipback, this a likely smear in construction, this a guess, minor anyway and hardly unusual. A single format with a laminated front. The laminate wraps around the closed edges on to three large rear flipbacks. It has the correct SX 6157 MONO Cat No and it was printed and made in England by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd. This being the same as the second 1960s printing that included the ‘Pop Groups’ text.

Cover Front: The front has withstood the test-of-time well and looks lovely with little wear at all. The laminate is very clear, fresh and shiny and even under light, has little evidence of friction rubs or dulling. Just light traces around the rim shape seen under light but very fine indeed. All is fully adhered with no lifting or blistering, always good news for maximum good looks. Very few marks at all but some a few fine surface creases, mostly near the edges that few, if any avoid totally. With normal viewing, these hardly even show. The bottom right corner tip has a small rub. The classic Floyd artwork is seen and enjoyed to near maximum advantage and has not really aged at all. The right opening edge has a fine exposed strip where the laminate ends short of full width, this has not worn at all bar the tiny aforementioned tip rub with no grubbiness or chipping. This strip is normal and should be present, so beware of trimming of old covers where the laminate appears flush. One of the most famous covers in rock history and this front does is supreme justice.

Cover Back: The back is very nice indeed but has a couple of relatively minor issues: a smallish brown mark from an old sticker (or I guess it could have been tape). There is NO damage in terms of tearing or surface removal, there is none, simply a residue mark on the exposed card and a mere trace on the bottom flipback below. A mildish stain is apparent on the right corner too. This apart there is little else of real significance to spoil this back. Very slight age toning traces on the left edge is hardly unusual on 40-year-old covers. The minor glue smear on the spine edge flipback appears as a light dull and again is not unusual. In terms of real wear, the unprotected back panel has little with no rubbing, creasing, ringwear or other marks. The very large flipbacks are unworn as such bar the minor tone marks with just one lightish crease on the bottom left. All are solidly adhered and undamaged few hardy any hairline creases to the mostly clean laminate. The ends are grime-line free with any edge burring tiny and faint, any present are just traces on the bottom one. The EJD imprint is perfect under the laminate protection and overall, this back sets a high standard too. I reitterate again, this has the correct mono catalogue number (SX 6157 as seen in close-up).

Top Edge: Practically unworn and very smooth to the fingertip.

Bottom Edge: As above up to the right tip area that has rubbed with a small card exposure.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, quite sharp with little wear and no feathering and guaranteed untrimmed. Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: Great spine too, just one tiny tone spot and a small tone stain on the bottom corner which. Solid, straight with any compressions slight. All text is perfect and unworn under the very solid (and still shiny) laminate that is also smooth to the fingertip with no scuffs or cracks.

Corners: Three of the four are very neat indeed and show barely any wear. The bottom right front has a rub as already mentioned. All retain very fine to excellent shape.

Cover Summary: New label, but same cover format. This is a really attractive example that should please most collectors, however, if any of the blemishes I have clearly mentioned above are an issue, do not bid.

The Inner Sleeve: The EMI promotional inner is again the same as the original. This has aged a little but hardly significantly with some seam glue darkening and mild grubbiness traces around the rim shape, these minimal. The odd minor crease and a few light tone spots but all edges secure.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: I simply cannot grade this lovely mono record less than EX+ and this is doing it very scant justice. Most 60s pressed mono records could only dream of still looking this fantastic these days. A superb visual copy that is super clean, shiny, intense black and heavily pressed. It has no real scratches or penetrating marks at all and has clearly not suffered any inferior stylus abuse. This is a rare mono example of this classic that has been played very sparingly, in-line with most all from this particular collection. Any surface marks are very few and faint, a tiny few minor paper scuffs or minor small marks but NONE sound at all. Also worthy of note, just think of the typical types who bought this album early on, most were not hi-fi connoisseurs - mostly ‘experimental’ teenagers with mono record players that reitterate why so few clean copies can be found. Visually this a super record that should please most-all collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This ultimate Floyd rarity plays even above it’s high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Strong, practically distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear for 99.99 per cent of it’s duration with any clarity loss minuscule. Just the merest trace on the odd cresendo or difficult part that I feel no early mono Floyd album will ever escape at the barest minimum. This is nit-picking on the highest degree and remember what I am playing this record on with picture proof on view. Sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Reference standard sounds by anyone’s standards, this record simply brings out all those hidden details to an astonishing degree. A wonderful record that almost takes you into the studio with the band with superb mono dynamics, imagery and details – this has to be heard. Practically all the psych guitar sounds and effects are fully focused and sharp with minimal unwanted sounds. The faintest traces of (ultra brief) crackle (too strong a word) were just detected on the utmost intense part but I truly feel that lies in the pressing, anything here is truly minuscule. I have yet to hear any copy with no traces at all. My ruthlessly revealing system takes no prisoners and little escapes its clinical excellence. Mono records were not really made to be played on this type of equipment, but when they sound this good, they are a revelation. The run-in grooves are ultra quiet to silent as are the ‘gap’ grooves. Even over forty years since issue, this groundbreaking British space-psych album never fails to impress and those eerie hidden messages at the very start still baffle and bend the mind. Normally I will listen to an album while typing out one I have previously play-graded. With this album, it proved impossible. I found myself stopping and starting and concentration was lost as the brilliance of this album got lodged into my mind. I stopped and started the album again to glean maximum pleasure from what’s on offer. I have rarely been more tempted to keep an album since becoming an Ebay seller. But as a dealer one must not become too attached or I would never offer anything. Any surface sounds barely even register and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing for a highly complex album that was skillfully produced by Norman Smith. Sounding very different in mono with both format being truly essential. Even the bizarre psych sounds on the incredibly complex ‘Bike’ were pin-sharp with no break-up or clipping and the bizarre laughing at the end is beyond my words. I have seen clean looking original copies before but fail to impress when played. Groovewear and distortions cannot be seen – only heard – and this record suffers needle abuse badly. Just one play with a chipped or worn stylus and the damage is done. Few copies will match or outperform this rare repress significantly I feel sure – it’s not quite pristine perfect – but it comes mighty close and if anyone has one better, well they are indeed very fortunate. Both channels are clean and sharp and devoid of ‘mono’ noise. I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been clearly well stored and carefully handled. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record – some records remain in my memory long after they have gone and this without any doubt will do just that. The odd minor sound trace yes, but I am realistic enough to know few copies will ever sound better than this and this copy will prove very difficult to find significantly better. I have no doubts whatsoever that this record has not seen daylight for decades. The highest recommendation is mandatory for this one – put simply as possible – one of the greatest albums of all-time, a work of genius from one of rock’s greatest minds. If a first-issue label is indeed not an issue, enjoy the masterpiece for what it is – a very rare variant with astonishing sound value.

End Piece: I hope I have not made this too long but it would be difficult not getting excited about a record like this. How often do major rarities show up only to be trashed or damaged in some way? This was owned by a more discerning collector who did not over-use or abuse his records. Do not for a second think this is an inferior repressing, that is light-years off the truth, and can I also make it clear, I am NOT saying this is better than an orignal. What I am saying is, this IS equally AS good as an original and IS almost certainly rarer on this label. And the fact is, it plays superbly on an incredibly revealing system and that IS a huge ask for this, and any mono album to say the least. For those seeking a mono copy of this record that plays as good if not better than it looks (and it looks lovely), this could be the one you have been waiting for. Unless the impossible task of finding a copy as ‘brand new’ is non-negotiable, this copy will be cherished by just about all collectors I feel. Even though rarer than a first pressing, it may be a real value-for-money copy. For Floyd fans and collectors of the classics, this really is the Holy Grail. Syd Barrett himself would have enjoyed listening to this.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET - PLEASE SEE MY TYPICAL PACKING BOX PICTURE.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional thick boxes (NOT Mailers or Cruciforms, these do not offer maximum protection). The record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with THREE or EVEN FOUR ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. The thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. Please see my picture of a typical finished box packet that will now be used on ALL transactions as from now. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. These boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 6,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.