Rare 3-LP box set ZAPPA SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR 1981

$

28

"SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR" Box Set

by Frank Zappa

Stereophonic 3-LP box set with Sleeves and Insert

BARKING PUMPKIN Records catalog no. W3X 38289 (CBS distributed, noted on box only)

U.S. issue, 1982 (albums issued separately in 1981 by mail-order only)

CONDITION-AT-A-GLANCE (with details to follow):
Vinyl (3 discs): B+, B+, B+  /  Box: A-  /  Inner Sleeves (3): B+  /  Insert: A-

DESCRIPTION -

Combining the three landmark mail-order-only instrumental guitar-centric Zappa LPs "SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR," "SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR SOME MORE," and "RETURN OF THE SON OF SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR," this box set gives the Zappa lover and/or student of aficionado guitar-playing a heaping helping and a wide, consistently entertaining variety of Zappa's otherwise-unreleased studio and live-on-stage work, backed by a wide range of players (credits included on inner sleeves, each with the same photo of Frank on its reverse) and free of the stinging lyrical satire which sometimes turns people off (not me!) -- in fact, the only voices you'll hear on these records are the quick, quiet spoken one-liners (by whom???) that denote the separation of each song.

Also included is an 8-1/2" x 11" black & white insert sheet/order form (with photo of Frank) promoting 1981's new "FRANK ZAPPA GUITAR BOOK."

ALBUM ONE: "SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR"

Side One)

1. five-five-FIVE

2. HOG HEAVEN

3. SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR

4. WHILE YOU WERE OUT

Side Two)

1. TREACHEROUS CRETINS

2. HEAVY DUTY JUDY

3. SOUP 'N OLD CLOTHES

ALBUM TWO: "SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR SOME MORE"

Side One)

1. VARIATIONS ON THE CARLOS SANTANA SECRET CHORD PROGRESSION

2. GEE, I LIKE YOUR PANTS

3. CANARSIE

4. SHIP AHOY

Side Two)

1. THE DEATHLESS HORSIE

2. SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR SOME MORE

3. PINK NAPKINS

ALBUM THREE: "RETURN OF THE SON OF SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR"

Side One)

1. BEAT IT WITH YOUR FIST

2. RETURN OF THE SON OF SHUT UP 'N PLAY YER GUITAR

3. PINOCCHIO'S FURNITURE

4. WHY JOHNNY CAN'T READ

Side Two)

1. STUCCO HOMES

2. CANARD DU JOUR

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CONDITION -
NOTE: Please check my "Feedback Profile" -- many people have said things like, "Condition even better than described!" 
           Discs come in anti-static archival inner sleeves. I am confident you will be thrilled with your purchase-or your money back!

All three of the RECORDS play well and have very few artifacts (details follow) and are essentially in the same condition, each with several feather-lite surface scuffs from being stored in the paper sleeves (discs now removed and come to you in new anti-static archival inner sleeves). /// DISC ONE: No scratches, but a few concentric white lines on Side B, track 2--these are inaudible. One embedded dust speck near start of Side B--two 'pops' audible. /// DISC TWO: Handful of small (1/2") lite scratches adjacent to lip on Side A--these are barely audible beneath the loud music. /// DISC THREE: Vague lite scuffs, lite scratches. /// All three discs have lite, low-level ticks heard mainly in the intro grooves only--otherwise hard to hear any artifacts once the music begins. The grooves on the last track on each side look vaguely play-worn, but sound perfectly fine with no actual distortion apparent.  My overall vinyl grade (3 discs): B+, B+, B+

The COVER / BOX is tight and sturdy and still very, very glossy (note how my blurred reflection is kinda visible in the pic!). /// There is mild shelf-wear and light scratching mainly visible on the back side and bottom edge. /// On the inside of the box top, there is a reprinting of an article from "Guitar World" proclaiming these records as "indispensible!"; there is a small price tag affixed in this area.  My overall cover grade: A-

The three INNER SLEEVES are all made of rather thin paper, and they all have splits in the center of the bottom and side edges where the sharp disc-edges have poked thru (I have now separated the records and placed them in new, anti-static archival sleeves--see pic).  My overall inner sleeves grade (3): B+, B+, B+

The INSERT/order sheet for the Frank Zappa Guitar Book looks nearly flawless, with one small stain-spot on its blank back side.  My overall insert grade: A-

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Please note: I am not a dealer; this comes from my father's personal collection. /// PLEASE SEE MY OTHER ZAPPA ITEMS FOR SALE

SHIPPING -
I will ship this item well-packed by USPS Media Mail for $4.00.  Contact me for shipping rates outside the USA -- most destinations average about USD$18.00 (Canada & Mexico cost less).  I do combine & reduce shipping costs for multiple auctions won.

ABOUT GRADING -
I don’t like having stuff returned so I tend to grade conservatively, using a traditional teacher’s scale of A-F.  Here's my general criteria for vinyl:

A+ ) pristine; unplayed.  "M" (Mint) in standard terms
A  ) excellent; minimal plays; without flaws.  "NM" (Near Mint)
A- ) superb sound; may exhibit very light sleeve scuffing or other marks that do not affect play, or perhaps very few occasional random pops & clicks from static or invisible embedded dust; may have light needle-drop crackling at very start of sides. 
                   "NM-" or "EX" (Excellent)
B+ ) clean sound, with light vinyl wear evident in quiet passages; no gouges, skips or deep scratches.  "VG+" (Very Good+)
B  ) plays well; may have occasional crackles or pops; slightly worn but undamaged.  "VG"
B- ) enjoyable overall, possibly having crackling that isn't really noticeable while music plays; grooves may be respectfully well-worn, or may be in superb shape except for some single significant flaw.  "VG-"
C  ) playable; passable, but flawed throughout in a major way; consistent crackles & pops.  "G" (Good)
D  ) rough; very worn, possibly to distortion; explosive vinyl noises.  "G-" or "F" (Fair)
F  ) exhibits use as a skateboard or frisbee; completely unplayable.  "P" (Poor) in standard terms

[In my experience the standard grading system of M/NM/EX/VG/G +/- is generally used to deceive rather than enlighten, thus my use of an A-F scale instead.]

I grade a record’s condition first visually, then audibly by carefully spot-playing each track (if the record’s not still sealed of course) in at least two places, using a new needle and a balanced audiophile turntable.  I try to note any obvious problems with the condition of the cover or vinyl record (or any other part of the product) in my description.  I do try to get the dust specks off with an anti-static record-cleaning cloth if needed, but I never use liquid cleaners and actually prefer to leave any extreme cleaning to the buyer, since audiophiles tend to be picky with their differing ways.  I use anti-static archival inner sleeves and plastic slip cases for all my records.  As you can see by my eBay feedback score, my buyers have been pretty happy with the stuff I’ve sold and how well I pack it so it gets to you without damage in transit.

RETURN POLICY -
Occasionally someone might disagree with my subjective assessment of a record’s condition so if necessary I will gladly refund the original purchase price (including shipping) – just ship the record back to me in its sturdy container.  Bid with confidence, as they say…

AND FINALLY -
Feel free to email me by clicking on "Ask a Question" at the top right-hand of this page.  I also have several other excellent collectible ZAPPA records on auction at this very moment -- you can see them all by clicking on "See Other Items" at the top right corner of this page.