SYD BARRETT THE MADCAP LAUGHS A2G/B2G EMI/No EMI SUPERB COVER & MINT- AUDIO WOW
£
125
$
166
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.
I recently purchased a stunning Pink Floyd/Syd Barrett collection where all the records and covers have been so well preserved by the previous owner. I am selling the majority of them during this auction.
Syd Barrett : The Madcap Laughs A-2G / B-2G No EMI logo on S2
This very collectable album has to be the most STUNNING version I have ever heard. The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is second to none and I cannot emphasise enough just how incredibly 'clean' the audio is. Each note can be heard with such precision and with only two very light ticks on S2 the audio is as 'good as new' in my opinion. The vinyl is visually stunning and has hardly been played and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE pressing i.e. no need to purchase another as you could not really find better audio than this!
This is not a first pressing as such because it has Barrett + Joyce on the S2 label not Barrett except + Joyce. I would say it is a hybrid second press in that it has the EMI logo on the S1 label but not on S2. However, it still has the A-2G/B-2G first press matrix.
The gatefold is in excellent condition with only minor wear and the original Harvest inner is also in excellent order.
SHVL 765 // A - 2G / B - 2G // GG 1 / H 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The laminated gatefold is Ex
The labels are Near Mint
The EMI Harvest inner is Ex
Visual grading
The vinyl is a thing of beauty! It has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen where each groove can be seen so clearly. There are no marks or scratches and only under a strong light can I detect a small number of insignificant hairlines on each side, they really are incredibly faint! The yellow/green Harvest labels are unmarked and have only very minimal spindle wear.
Play grading
'Terrapin' in a word plays 'as new'. Ok two words but you get my drift! The clarity of sound is on a level that you so rarely find on these early pressings. One thing I like about the recording is how high in the mix Syd's voice is and it can be heard in all its glory here. From start to finish there is no 'background' not even a dust tick which isn't bad for an acoustic number! The audio is crystal clear - a sensational Mint start to this classic album.
'No Good Trying' plays to a sublime standard with no interference. The power and depth of the audio is stunning and again a Mint grade is fully deserved.
Already it is obvious this vinyl has been so well preserved and 'Love You' provides further evidence of that. No ticks, clicks, pops or static just pure unadulterated Mint audio throughout.
The more up-tempo 'No Man's Land' also plays with STUNNING quality and again there is no interference. Another point of note is this record was recorded 'loud' and yet the original sonic quality is still there. There is no distortion and it just could not play any better. Mint
'Dark Globe' plays with genuine precision from the first note to the last with no intrusion. A classic Mint track.
'Here I Go' ends this immaculate side with...no interference. For a final track to play so clearly is a rarity and especially on a record of this age. This truly is audio of the highest calibre and I cannot put into words just how good. Suffice to say this is Mint and provides the perfect end to a perfect side. Even the guitar fade out has no 'background'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Octopus' continues this fine form and plays 'as new' with no 'background' of any kind, not even a solitary dust tick. Mint
The very quiet acoustic intro on 'Golden Hair' plays with perfect clarity and the first vocal is just as impressive. It continues to play like it has never been played before and again leaves you wondering how could a record that is over 50 years old play with such amazing clarity! Mint
'Long Gone' also plays with stunning clarity and just one barely audible light tick in one of the acoustic sections. Mint-
The trio of songs beginning with 'She Took A Long Cold Look' all play to the same 'high end' standard and you can easily hear Barrett's turn of the page on this 'opening' track. The remainder is faultless. The segue into 'Feel' is the same and again the turn of the page is like you are in the studio! The silent section after the 'Take One' intro has no 'background' that's a measure of the clarity on offer here and the rest is again perfect. 'If It's In You' just has one mega light tick after the the intro and re-start and thereafter plays with sublime quality with just one further light tick. I would grade the first two as Mint and the final one as Mint- it is still a stunning version.
'Late Night' ends the album with imperious quality once more with no sign of any interference. The clarity and depth is so impressive for a final track and there are no negatives. A Mint finish without question.
In summary this may well be the finest version of this rare and collectable album that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to. It is a FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic and has been so incredibly well preserved over the last 50+ years. In essence there is literally no interference - a couple of very light ticks on S2 but that hardly qualifies as interference! This STUNNING album plays with a clarity, warmth and depth that is just so much more impressive than any later reissues. It has only been played a handful of times at most judging by the immaculate visual quality and of course the audio quality. It basically sounds as good as an un-played record! The playback is crystal clear and I am confident any Syd Barrett/Floyd collector would be just as impressed as I am! Absolutely stunning!
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The laminated E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear. The edges have no marking and for once the wide is in superb shape with only one very faint mark by the bottom corner. It has to be the best/strongest spine I have ever seen on this album! The corners overall are very clean but there is a little creasing/wear bottom right on the front cover. The opening edge is pristine and looks untouched, perhaps not surprising I guess. The front cover in very clean with just one very small mark near the opening edge with that light creasing just below it. There is also just a very small amount of laminate lift top left. The back cover is in lovely condition with no real wear at all and the inside of the gatefold is close to perfect with just a minor crease by the inner spine, a common thing. A fine example overall.
The original poly-lined EMI Harvest inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and just one tiny tear on the top edge. There is minimal age related fading around the edges and only minor creasing.
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 765 // A - 2G / B - 2G // GG 1 / H 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
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 WILL 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 : £15.95 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
