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The Smashing Pumpkins : Gish A-1 / B-1 1st USA Press 1991

This first pressing plays to a very high standard with only minimal intrusion as described below in my audio grading.  As you can see the vast majority plays with genuine quality and there is no distortion on the top end.  This vinyl can not have been played very much at all based on the visual quality and that there is no spindle wear on the labels.

The cover is still contained within the original shrink-wrap, apart from around the opening edge of course, and remains in fantastic condition with no wear basically.  It is stunning!  The printed inner is also very clean with just one crease that is a little more obvious.

This original first pressing has no S-64064/5 etching on the run outs.  It just has the matrix info as per below.  

CAR-1705-A HUTLPX-2A-1 / CAR-1705-B HUTLPX2B-1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint / T2 Ex+)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Ex+ / T4 opening section Ex)

The cover is Mint-

The printed inner is Ex+

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see one faint hairline on S1 that is a little more obvious but obviously does not impact on the audio.  Aside from that you cannot fault it, it is visually stunning.  The Caroline labels are incredible clean and have no spindle wear.

Play grading

The percussive / bass intro on 'I Am One' is perfect with zero background and as Corgan's guitar comes in the audio is so strong and deep and you cannot fault the clarity either.  The opening vocal section has just one very quiet static moment that lasts for half a second only and from then on the playback is superb.  There is no distortion on the top end and the brief quiet bass interlude plays so clearly with only a handful of minor statics.  The remainder is flawless including the final vocal.  This is easily Near Mint with the vast majority better than that.

'Siva' plays with genuine power and depth throughout with very little intrusion.  There is one brief static / crackle sound that is more obvious towards the end of the second vocal but that is the only obvious intrusion.  The first quiet section has only a couple of crackles at the end and the next quiet passage plays so clearly with barely any static.  The rest of track is loud and true with no interference and overall I think Ex+ is a fair assessment of the audio.

The intro on 'Rhinoceros' plays with outstanding clarity and the first vocal is just as impressive.  It continues to play with such quality through every vocal and instrumental section.  There is just one minor static sound at the end of the quieter first half and then the second half plays with impeccable audio.  A superb Mint- version.

'Bury Me' plays with stunning quality and no interference.  The clarity and power of the audio is superb and there are only a handful of minor statics right at the end.  Mint-

The intro on 'Crush' plays beautifully with no intrusion and the opening vocal is equal to that.  As it progresses what you notice is the clarity of sound - it is of course a quieter track and yet the playback is so clean.  It could hardly play any better but I will grade as Mint- because I did detect a couple of barely audible static sounds towards the end. 

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'Suffer' has barely any static on the intro and Corgan's opening vocal plays with sublime clarity.  In fact across the entire 5 minutes there is only one intrusive click during the mid vocal.  A shame it's there but the rest of the track is as close to perfect as is possible.  I will say Ex+ and that is only because of that one click, 99% is stunning!

The quiet intro on 'Snail' is faultless and the opening vocal is 'as new' also.  There is a brief sound of static as the guitar comes in and thereafter plays with phenomenal power and depth and... no interference.  The sonic quality here is so impressive and you can turn it up to max without fear of distortion.  Mint-

'Tristessa' plays with unbelievable quality from start to finish with no intrusion.  It is Mint in every way.

The quiet intro on 'Window Paine' plays very clearly with only a little static for a few seconds and the opening vocal section plays with very clean audio for the vast majority.  Very little static and just a small number of very quiet dull ticks that are not intrusive in any way.  From then on it plays with incredible audio and no background, the vocal only section is a prime example of that.  I will grade the opening section as Ex and the remainder is Mint- at the very least.

'Daydream' plays with sensational clarity from beginning to end.  I heard only one minor tick and Mint- is very much deserved.  The 'hidden' track 'I'm Going Crazy' ends the side with perfect Mint audio.

In summary this first pressing plays with stunning quality for the vast majority and with only minimal interference.  A sm handful of crackles on S1 and one click on S2 that is the only obvious intrusion.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is very impressive overall and together with a superb cover I am sure the winning bidder will not be disappointed.  So much of this classic album really does play with outstanding sonic quality.

The Cover & Picture Inner

As stated the majority of the cover is still contained within the original shrink-wrap and it has been so well preserved down the years.  The edges and corners have no wear and clearly the front and back cover are pristine.  The 'open' section of the cover next to the opening edge on both sides has no marking and the opening edge itself is close to perfect with only a couple of tiny crimps.  It doesn't get much better than this, a stunning cover for sure!

The picture inner is unmarked and has no side splits which is rare for this inner when you consider it is made with thin paper.  It just has one obvious crease top left and a couple of other minor creases but overall it is in great condition.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

CAR-1705-A HUTLPX-2A-1 / CAR-1705-B HUTLPX2B-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

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!!