BUDGIE SELF TITLED 1971 UK MCA 1st PRESS LAMINATED SLEEVE EX AUDIO GREAT COPY!

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Description

I'm an avid record collector and have been collecting classic 1960s and 70s albums for many years. During that time I have added duplicate copies of quite a few of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I'm very particular about the records that I own. The time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to free up some of the limited space available in my record cabinet. 

On offer here is a superb copy of the self-titled debut studio album by Budgie, Catalogue Number MKPS 2018. It's a 1971 UK stereo 1st pressing on the MCA red & pink dogbone record label, with a 1st issue front-laminated sleeve printed in England by Robert Stace. Complete with the correct Decca blue & white poly-lined inner sleeve, date coded "12 70". [The sleeve is the earliest possible design with a laminated front cover. The stamped record matrix numbers are the earliest 7-LNMG-240-1L and 7-LNMG-241-1L].
The Record Collector reference textbook is misleading in that it states that first issues with laminated sleeves came with a poster. This is not the case. Most didn't. The posters are extremely rare. In all my years of collecting records I have owned several first issues with laminated sleeves, none of which contained a poster.

The sleeve is in VG+ condition with only light signs of wear and a few minor creases near the edges. The front cover is unmarked with just a small area of laminate lift near the spine. The back cover has a short length of clear tape along the top edge which was applied many years ago when the top seam became unglued (not split). The seam has since been re-glued. There is no damage. The portion of the clear tape along the laminated front top edge has been removed without trace. The spine is solid with all text clearly legible. Overall it's a very nice sleeve indeed. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record (pressed by Decca) retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually it is in EX condition with just a few superficial sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are purely superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever on the audio playback. The red and pink dogbone MCA labels are like new with just a few faint spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and a minimum of unwanted noise. This is a heavy album, with great bass and lots of wonderful guitar riffs. For some reason Budgie seem to go under the radar and don't receive the recognition they deserve. They're a great band! 

The Decca inner sleeve has some creasing and age discoloration, but no splits or tears. 
 

Overall this is a highly collectible copy of Budgie's debut album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50