The Who : Who's Next A1/B2 1st Press UK 1971 w/correct 1st Press Inner

This first pressing plays with stunning quality and the only interference is the first few seconds at the start of S2 as detailed below.

There is some conjecture about what is the genuine first pressing.  The one with the 'Headhunters' inner sleeve maybe classified as a first press but it is actually slightly later as it features albums that were released one month after 'Who's Next' and it also states the album as already available on the inner.  Ones with the 'Headhunters' inner date from Sept/Oct '71 whereas the album was of course released in Aug '71 and the inner included with the one I am selling is the genuine first press one with 0871 printed lower left.

2408102 A // 1  1   1 1 8 etched MG 12888 // B // 2 ? 420  1 1   2 1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (track 1 Ex+ but Near Mint for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (track 1 intro G for 5 seconds) 

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

This vinyl is in superb condition overall with a fantastic glossy sheen and has definitely not been over-played as there is not a great deal of spindle wear.  The only negative is one tiny scratch at the start of S2 but apart from that it is in beautiful condition with only a very small number of barely visible sleeve removal hairlines.  S1 is absolutely stunning!  A superb example with only one minor defect!

Play grading  

The classic synth lead in on 'Baba O'Riley' is superb with no interference at all, just 3/4 mega light dust ticks which you find on new vinyl let alone one that is 48 years old!  As the piano and then drums come in there is no decrease in quality.  The first vocal is so strong and still there is no 'background'.  The music plays with real power and depth and continues in the same way but with one click just after the quieter mid section.  This is caused by a mega tiny speck that refuses to move!  The remainder of this classic is without fault and the end violin section is absolutely stunning!  I'll have to grade this as Ex+ although there is no doubting that the vast majority is Near Mint if not better!

The quiet intro on 'Bargain' is so clean and it then plays in spectacular fashion with no 'background' at all.  Townshend's quiet vocal mid section has no static let alone anything more and the rest of the track plays with perfect precision also.  A stunning Mint- version in my opinion and I do not over-grade as my regulars know!  The acoustic end section plays to perfection also.  What a version!

'Love Ain't For Keeping' is another example of a vinyl rarely played and grades as Mint- once more.  Stunning clarity and sonic quality and not one iota of interference.

'My Wife' keeps up this fine standard and again there is no interference to be heard.  Just pure Mint- audio from start to finish.  You can turn this up loud without any loss in sound quality.  A perfect fade out also.

The quiet piano intro on 'Song Is Over' is 'as new' and as the vocal begins the clarity remains very impressive indeed with only a couple of dust ticks.  The first chorus is faultless and I am pleased to say the remainder is of the same quality.  There is perhaps a hint of distortion but in no way does it intrude on the listen and it is very minimal.  No clicks or pops anywhere!

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'Getting In Tune' has five clicks at the very start due to a very small scratch but the rest of the quiet intro plays extremely well.  From then on the audio has no further issues and is of a very high standard.  With only a couple of faint ticks there is no intrusion on the audio, just a shame about the first few seconds.

'Going Mobile' has a stunning intro and then plays with immaculate precision to the end.  I have no hesitation in grading this track Mint- as there is quite simply no interference of any kind.  Superb!

The acoustic intro on 'Behind Blue Eyes' is sublime and this quality continues.  Clarity such as this on this track is rare and the only 'background' is one faint tick after the first 'My love is vengeance' line.  As the tempo and volume increases the playback is so powerful and I was blown away by the depth and power here, no distortion at all.  The end section plays with great precision - a near perfect version in fact that is Near Mint for sure.

'Won't Get Fooled Again' has barely any static on the intro and plays very clearly indeed.  From then on the playback is 'high end' with no intrusive 'background' and plays loud and true with no distortion at all.   There is only the slightest amount of static during the quieter synth section near the end but no distortion on Daltrey's vocal scream in the final section!  This is a stunning Near Mint version and a fine way to end this superb album.

In summary this genuine first press plays with wonderful quality overall and the only interference is the first few seconds at the start of S2.   Aside from that the clarity of the record could hardly be any better and the silence in the dead wax between each track is a prime example of that.-hard collector would be hugely impressed with the audio on this classic 60s record - a huge part of rock culture if you will - and the iconic cover is also extremely impressive.

The Cover

The cover is in lovely condition and remains very strong and robust as if it has been handled down the years.  Only the top edge has one very small area of wear in the middle but it is not a split!  Aside from that the edges have no rubbing and the spine is also in superb order.  The corners are also mega clean with barely wear and the opening edge has only a very small amount of handling wear.  The front cover is near perfect apart from a handful of very small faint creases to the right of Roger that you can only see when held at a certain angle.  The back cover is in superb condition with no obvious wear at all.  A wonderful example of this classic album cover.

Inner Sleeve

The original 'Plastic Bags' inner (dated 0871) has no splits or tears, minimal creasing and only minor age related fading.

The Labels

The Track Record labels are in great condition with no marks or writing and only a little spindle wear.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

2408102 A // 1  1   1 1 8 etched MG 12888 // B // 2 ? 420  1 1   2 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

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