QUEEN THE GAME A5/B9 Early PRESS 1980 SUPER CLEAN FOIL COVER & STUNNING AUDIO
£
38
$
50
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
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.
Queen : The Game A5/B9 Very Early Press
This early pressing is as close to perfect as could be! It plays to a superb standard and is practically Mint all the way through. The clarity, depth and power of the audio is exceptional and the only 'background' is a little light static at the start of 'Save Me' the final track on S2. It is kept to a minimum and is still very quiet. The original sonic quality is still there and this is clearly a record that has not been overplayed. The audio is STUNNING!
The 'foil' cover is also one of the finest examples you will find. It is so often found in poor condition but this one has not been handled very much and has maintained its original shape and structure incredibly well with only very minimal shelf wear. The lyric inner has also been so well preserved and has no wear at all. A stunning 'package' overall that would impress any avid collector.
EMA 795 // A-5U / B-9U // MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. ❀ stamped on both sides
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 first verse Ex+)
The 'foil' cover is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
The lyric inner is Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition with a very impressive glossy sheen and has no marks or scratches. Under a strong light I could only find a small number of the usual faint sleeve removal hairlines but obviously they have no affect on the audio quality. The run out grooves are very clean and the white labels are unmarked and have only very minimal spindle wear.
Play grading
The synth intro on 'Play The Game' plays with stunning precision and this is a genuine rarity. It so often plays with a fair amount of 'background' but that is certainly not the case here. I detected just one very quiet static 'moment'. The first vocal is faultless and it continues in the same exact with no intrusion at all. The clarity is exceptional throughout and this is unquestionably a Mint- start to the album.
'Dragon Attack' has just one very light tick after the first verse but aside from that it plays with sublime clarity and depth. As this is such a clean vinyl it still has that original deep resonant tone and the sonic quality could not be any stronger. Even with the one minor tick this still deserves a Mint- grade as it is so so close to perfect.
The classic 'Another One Bites The Dust' is 'as new' from start to finish and provides yet more evidence of a vinyl that has been so well preserved over the last 42 years. There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no static either. This is Mint in every way.
'Need Your Loving Tonight' plays with STUNNING quality with no interference. This underrated track often plays with some distortion but the clarity and definition of the audio here is so impressive. A perfect Mint version.
'Crazy Little Thing Called Love' ends the side with audio that again cannot be faulted in any way. There is not even a solitary dust tick let alone anything more and that includes the fade out. An immaculate Mint version in every respect.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The vocal intro on 'Rock It' plays with outstanding clarity with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks, never heard better! As Roger's drums kick in the playback is flawless and it proceeds in the same way with no intrusion. Little more needs to be said this is the definitive version and Mint is very much deserved.
The quiet intro on 'Don't Try Suicide' plays to perfection and the opening vocal and chorus are just as 'clean'. It continues in the same precise way with only a handful of insignificant dust ticks which hardly deserve a mention if I'm honest! This track is so often affected by interference but this is easily one of the cleanest versions you are ever likely to find. An imperious Mint- version in my opinion.
The delicate intro on 'Sail Away Sweet Sister' plays beautifully without any 'background' and Brian's opening vocal is equally as impressive. The first chorus is of the same standard and thereafter plays like it has never seen a turntable before! There is no interference and every verse and chorus play perfectly. The quiet closing section also plays with no 'background' of any kind. A superb Mint version.
'Coming Soon' plays with supreme power and depth from the first note to the last with no sign of any interference and you can turn it up to max with no fear of distortion! A powerhouse of a track that is Mint in every way.
The first verse on the 'Save Me' plays very clearly but does have a minimal amount of very light static here and there and a couple of very light ticks towards the end. This 'background' is very quiet and is hardly intrusive in my opinion. Each note can still easily be heard. The first chorus is faultless and the next quiet passage is 'as new' with no interference. The remainder of this classic track plays with wonderful quality and there is no distortion on the top end. The quiet piano end section plays beautifully. I would say the opening verse is Ex+ and the rest Mint such is the quality of the audio.
In summary this early pressing plays with STUNNING quality and the only 'background' is a little static at the beginning of the final track. Even then it is very quiet and perhaps Ex+ is a little harsh! The sonic quality throughout the album is so strong and it is clear that this vinyl has only been lightly played. S1 plays with incredible precision and S2 like I say is not far behind. A superb album with, for once, a fantastic 'foil' cover as described below.
The 'Foil' Cover & Lyric Inner
The 'foil' cover is rarely found in excellent condition these days but this is without doubt one of the cleanest I have seen in a long time. The edges and thin pinched spine are in perfect order with no marking etc and the corners have barely any wear either. The opening edge has no handling wear also. The shiny front cover is very clean with only some very minor abrasions that you always see, one minor crease near the top edge and a couple next to the spine. There is a little 'grazing' near the opening edge top right but this is only very minor and does not detract from the overall visual quality. The back cover if anything is even more impressive with only a few light scratches/abrasions again and only a minor touch of ringwear. A fine example and so much better than the vast majority that you see today.
The thick card lyric inner (with rounded corners) is in superb condition with no side splits or creasing and no marking either.
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
EMA 795 // A-5U / B-9U // MASTERED AT ALLEN ZENTZ L.A., CALIF. ❀ stamped on both sides
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!
Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you
100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++
Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!
Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.
Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.
Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!
Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!
Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 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 : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS! IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT. I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!
price rating
