T.Rex ELECTRIC WARRIOR UK LP 1ST PRESS FLY LABEL nmint

	£		52
	$		69

T.Rex - Electric Warrior

FlyRecords: catalogue: HiFly 6

Matrix Numbers: FLY6-A-2 / FLY6-B-2

STAMPERS: 1 ML / 2 HA

WITHOUT QUESTION THIS IS THE ALBUM THAT TRANSFORMER T.REX FROM ALSO RANS INTO SUPERSTARS

This is the second album that featured the new look lineup and sound. Gone were the acoustic petry inspired tracks and replaced with an electric guitar rock/ballad set that inldes the classics "get it on" and Jeepster.

the definitive and some would argue the best ever T.Rex LP

The Sleeve

This is another one of those hard to get in good condition sleeves. Why? because it is firstly a non laminated sleeve and subject to all sorts of nasty things like ring wear, creases, and colour loss due to the matt black finish. In addition, this was a hugely popular album, most notably with teenage girls, and as such went to many parties, and was probably not handled with the care a serious record collector would give it, and you can totally understand why that should be so. The result of course is that most sleeves, and indeed the vinyl are shot to bits.

How fantastic to find one that has stood the test of time so well.

Lets start with the front surface. The first thing to note is the sticker advertising the poster inside is still properly stuck to the sleeve in the correct place, meaning it has never been removed at all

the black surface has retained most of it's original colour with only some very light fading in spots. There are a few light creases, but no heavy ones that have bent the sleeve at all. These are mostly along the edges. The opening edge is sharp and unworn. The spine is unsquashed and in legible condition. The rear surface is the same as the front in terms of any wear, and it is pleasing to note that the gold lettering has not worn away. I have seen some very poor examples of this in my time collecting. Lastly it is worth mentionig that there is no ring wear to the sleeve, again this is an all too common ailment.

Inside the sleeve the original poster is included, and has never been pinned to any wall or stuck there. There is a small hole cause by what looks like a burn. it looks like a hot match was laid on the back of the folded poster and has started to come through. You might be able to make it out on the picture. The hole is about 2 inches up from the right edge.

The original inner sleeve is also included and in great condition. no splits etc

I think a VG++ grade is acceptable for this sleeve

The Labels

Do not be fooled by reissues, there is only one genuine first pressing of this album, and it is on the fly label. The cube reissue uses the same catalogue number but is nothing like the quality of the original.

Dead easy to tell of course because the original has a picture label on side two which is the same shot used for the front cover of the previous album. The other side has the large fly outline and the complete tracklisting.

These labels are in top condition. No marks and very very minimal colour loss, hardly worth mentioning really. There is no wear to the actual spindle hole, and only a few light spider lines noticeable, indicating a record that has not only been very carefully handled, but hasn;t had more than a few plays since 1971

The Vinyl

Great looking disc that has retained all of it's original sheen. No handling marks visible under normaal light, and only under intense illumination are there any whispy hairlines, and these do not affect anything on the play 

The Sound

The three tests I always run on any LP I list should give the buyer a great insight into the reproduction of the record.

Distortion Test:

Pushing the volume up when playing any LP will tell you a lot about the use the LP has had. For example it will show immediately if the groove has suffered any wear through having been subjected to a worn or damaged stylus, or indeed one that was too heavy and caused wear. many people confuse background noise from scratches, and lines with distortion from groove wear. they are very different, and in my opinion I can put up with the odd bit of crackle or light pop, but the sound of a worn record is unacceptable to me. The loud volume ensures that all this is detected because the vibration of the stylus is more pronounced at higher volumes.

Perfect not one jot of distortion

Production Test:

Not so much of a test, but a report on the quality of the recording and the clarity of the sound.

from the moment Mamob Sun opens side one until rip off closes the second side, you are in for an audio treat. The stereo split for one this is immense, and the sound of the percussion filling both speakers with different sounds, and the dirty guitar sound of Mr Bolans axe pushing the production to the limit. Tony Visconti who produced this and subsequent T.Rex albums has done a splendid job, and I can not grade this high enough

Unwanted Noise Test:

This concentrates on the noise in the run in groove, the linking groove between the tracks, background crackle, hisses, and pops. I wont mention jumps or sticking as I wouldn't list a record that did either. This is what you can expect to hear on your system, and along with the distortion test form the basis of my overall sound grading.

The run in to side one is silent, just perfect, and just what you want. Opening the LP with Mambo Sun and interjecting all of the tracks with silent linking grooves. There is no nasty surprises anywhere, and I can say that not even any static to speak of, maybe just a slight touch on Lean Woman Blues, but nothing to affect how this great LP sounds. No light pops either, well perhaps one or two, but no more than that. This is a classic LP in superb condition

I am happy to grade this NMINT

I have been selling vinyl on Ebay now for 7 years and have built up a good reputation for offering quality vinyl, and in the main this has always been Classic and Prog Rock and Pop from the early 60's through the mid 70's. I would ask that you look at my feedback if in any doubt. I always conduct 3 vital tests on any vinyl that I list, which includes Distortion, Production, and Background Noise. All of which you will find detailed in the listing. I also always offer a full refund if the purchaser is not happy.