THE SMASHING PUMPKINS Machina / The Machines Of God A1/B1 1st PRESS Superb RARE
  £   312
  $   413

 


£ 312 Sold For
May 26, 2024 Sold Date
May 16, 2024 Start Date
33   Number Of Bids
  Great Britain Country Of Seller
eBay Auctioned at
 
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Description

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.

The Smashing Pumpkins : Machina / The Machines Of God A-1 / B-1 / C-1 / D-1 1st Press (Europe 2000)

This rare first pressing plays to an incredible standard as detailed below.  Every track bar one plays 'as new' with a clarity, depth and power that is just exceptional.  Only 'Speed Kills' on S4 has a little interference but even then the majority of it is still very quiet.  The rest of the album cannot be faulted and it is clear it has hardly been played and perhaps never at all!

The gatefold is also in superb condition with barely any wear, just one small rub / surface 'crack' on the top edge.  It has retained its original shape and structure perfectly and the 24 page inner art booklet is still 100% attached to the cover.  There were no printed inners with this pressing, just standard poly-lined inners.

If you are reading this you don't need me to tell you how rare this double LP is!  It was pressed on heavyweight vinyl and only in very limited numbers hence the reason why it is so collectable.

HUTDLP 59 A-01-1-1 MIKE@MASTERPIECE / HUTDLP 59 B-01-1-

HUTDLP 59 C-01-1- / HX UX HUTDLP 59 D-01-1-1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The audio on S3 is Mint(-)

The audio on S4 is Mint(-) (T1 VG+ for just under one minute)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyls are in great condition and still have a lovely glossy sheen.  S1 and S2 are immaculate and I cannot even find any hairlines and S3 just has one faint V shaped blemish which has no affect on the audio, probably a manufacturing issue.  S4 does have a couple of very small marks / scratches and it's strange they are there really.  I would not be surprised if they caused in the 'factory' also because as stated the records have hardly been played if at all!  The labels are in perfect condition with no marking - perhaps just one tiny barely visible trace on the S2 label.

Play grading

'The Everlasting Gaze' plays with incredible sonic quality from the first note to the last and 'as new' sums it perfectly.  This is a track that demand to be played loud and there is no distortion on the top end.  Even the 'quieter' vocal only section plays with perfect clarity and Mint is an easy grade to give.

'Raindrops + Sunshowers' plays to the same high end standard with no background at all.  Very reminiscent of 'Adore' the playback cannot be underestimated and Mint is again deserved.  The long fade out has not even a single dust tick which gives you an idea of the clarity on offer here.

The intro on 'Stand Inside Your Love' is flawless and Corgan's opening vocal is just as strong.  It continues to play with impeccable quality and the depth and resonance of the audio is just on another level.  I know I said this record may never have been played and so far I have no reason to doubt that!  From start to finish it just could not play any better.  Mint

'I Of The Mourning' ends the side with stunning precision once more.  This track is Mint in every way and no inner groove distortion either.  What a version!

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I have listened to S2 in its entirety and I can confirm every track plays with a sonic quality that could not be bettered.  'The Sacred And Profane' and 'Try, Try, Try' are 'as new' and 'Heavy Metal Machine' is as powerful and loud as you would want it to be!  A superb dynamic version for sure.  'This Time' and 'The Imploding Voice' complete the side with faultless audio.  This side is unequivocally Mint from start to finish and yes I played every track in full, no skipping here!

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The long intro on 'Glass And The Ghost Children' plays to perfection and I just have to mention how powerful the audio is here, in no small measure due to Chamberlin's percussion.  The opening vocal section is just as strong and it continues in the same precise way.  The quiet piano / spoken section plays beautifully with no intrusion and the end vocal is equal to that.  Running at very nearly 10 minutes this 'psychedelic' number is Mint all the way through.  The definitive version.

The final two tracks 'Wound' and 'The Crying Tree Of Mercury' play to the same high end standard with no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Just pure Mint audio in every sense of the word.  Tremendous depth and resonance once more.

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The intro on 'Speed Kills' has a couple of statics at the start but otherwise plays perfectly.  It carries on in the same way and then around the 3 minutes there is a very light tick once per revolution.  It is intermittent but overall lasts just under one minute.  Only towards the end are these ticks a little more obvious, more light crackles.  This is caused by the small mark as detailed above and then the remainder of the track is flawless.  I will grade that one section as VG+ and the rest as Mint

'Age Of Innocence' plays with stunning quality throughout with zero intrusion.  The more gentle 'With Every Light' plays with sublime clarity and warmth and then the final track 'Blue Skies Bring Tears' ends this fine album with imperious quality from start to finish.  These tracks all grade as Mint as there is literally no background.

In summary this first pressing is as close to perfect as is possible and it's just that one track on S4 that keeps it from being so.  Even then the background is very quiet for the majority and as for the rest of the album, it definitely has the wow factor!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is phenomenal - in essence every track is Mint apart from that one!  In conjunction with a superb cover this rare album will appeal to any Pumpkins collector.

The Gatefold

The cover is in superb condition with barely any wear.  There is just one 'crack' of the surface on the top edge of the front cover but it is small and has not resulted in a split.  It is more or less perfect apart from that.  One small rub on the bottom right corner that's the extent of any other wear!  The wide spine is 'as new' and the opening edges have no handling wear either.  The front and back cover are pristine and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate - the 20 page booklet is still firmly attached also.  A stunning example overall that has clearly hardly ever been handled.

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

The records have been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

HUTDLP 59 A-01-1-1 MIKE@MASTERPIECE / HUTDLP 59 B-01-1-

HUTDLP 59 C-01-1- / HX UX HUTDLP 59 D-01-1-1


I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines


Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end


Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.

Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!

Great item and seller (no.1), many thanks from ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic! Record as Described! Excellent Packaging and Fast Overseas Shipping!

One of the best on Ebay!

Another amazing record from this exceptional seller. Absolutely delighted!

Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

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!!











 





















































 

 

 

 


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