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Budgie : Squawk 1L/1L 1st Press Blue/Black Hexagon Label 1972

This very collectable first pressing plays with superb audio and very little intrusion.  The clarity and power of the audio is very impressive and the only 'background' are a couple of very light clicks on S2.  Aside from that there are only a small number of insignificant light ticks and barely any static. This album has certainly not been over-played based on the audio and the minimal spindle wear.  There are some faint hairlines on the record but they have no impact on the quality of the audio.

The cover is at least very good maybe better with the only real issue being some ringwear.  The original inner is included with only a little wear.

A first press is denoted by the blue/black hexagonal MCA label and the 1L/1L matrix.  This was pressed very early on as it has only a single stamper on each side.

MKPS 2023 // 7-LNMG-261-1L / 7-LNMG-262-1L // I 1 / G 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 & T3 Ex+ / T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 Ex+ / T4 Near Mint)

The cover is VG++

The labels are Near Mint-

The original inner is VG+

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a strong glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light you can see some hairlines but they are superficial as they have no effect on the audio.  Under a darker light the vinyl looks lovely!  The blue/black hexagonal MCA labels have no marking/writing and only minimal spindle wear.  The JT tax code can clearly be seen on each run out groove.

Play grading  

The intro on 'Whisky River' is so clean with no 'background' and Shelley's opening vocal is of the same standard.  This quality is kept up as it progresses with no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Pure clean vinyl sound!  And typical deep powerful Budgie sound!  From start to finish there is no interference and only a couple of dust ticks on the fade out.  A Mint- version at the very least.

'Rocking Man' has just one very light static tick on the intro and then plays with impeccable quality for the vast majority.  No clicks or pops again.  There are a handful of insignificant light ticks in the instrumental section that precedes the 'silent' section and then the 'build up' / percussive section that follows has only a handful of light static ticks also.  Bourge's solo then plays with imperious quality - maybe not the same level of depth as per their previous album but still a darn good listen!  The final vocal is faultless and the quiet end section has only a couple of dust ticks.  I will grade as Ex+ but yes the majority is better than that!

The acoustic 'Rolling Home Again' begins perfectly and it then plays very clearly with very little intrusion.  A small number of ticks but nothing more and they do not interfere with the audio.  Ex+

Another acoustic number in 'Make Me Happy' and the long intro here can only be described 'as new' the clarity is outstanding.  The opening vocal is just as good and it continues in the same precise way with no intrusion.  Each note is so sharply defined and I cannot fault this track.  A couple of barely audible ticks but Mint is more than deserved.

The superbly titled 'Hot As A Docker's Armpit' plays with superb audio.  The intro is flawless and the opening vocal has no interference either.  It continues to play with great power and depth but with just a minimal amount of inner groove distortion here and there and I do mean minimal!  In fact Bourge's long solo has no such issue and plays with stunning precision as does the next section.  The 'percussive' end section sounds fantastic with barely any distortion and demands to be played loud!  A Near Mint end to the side.

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'Drugstore Woman' on S2 plays with great clarity from the get go and the opening vocal has no interference either.  It then plays with stunning audio for the remainder with only a couple of minor static ticks on the repeated Woman line at the very end.  Mint-

The instrumental 'Bottled' is close to perfect but does have two very light clicks towards the end caused by a tiny 'speck' that refuses to move!  Ex+

The acoustic intro on 'Young Is A World' plays beautifully with only the lightest of static right at the very start.  Shelley's opening vocal is so clean with only a couple of dust ticks and Bourge's first solo section is so strong and powerful with no interference.  The next vocal again stands out for the sheer clarity on offer here and it continues to play with impeccable quality for the remainder.  The guitar work as you would expect is exemplary and better still there is no interference!  The end vocal / instrumental is flawless and this is easily one of the finest examples of this classic that I have ever heard.  A super clean fade out with only minimal static right at the end.  A superb Mint- version.

The intro on 'Stranded' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of dust ticks and then Bourge's solo section does indeed play with stunning precision.  The opening vocal has no 'background' and it continues to play with great power and definition.  If there is any inner groove distortion it is so minimal and totally non-intrusive.  The dynamic second half of this track of course shows off another classic Budgie riff and it plays so well!  No clicks or pops and only a couple of light static ticks during the brief bass section.  Again only very minimal distortion, just what you would expect to find, and you really cannot fault the audio it is another track that demands to be played loud!  A Near Mint finish to this classic album.

In summary this genuine first press plays to a very high standard with very little intrusion.  As you can see from audio grading the clarity is very impressive overall and there are no loud clicks at all.  A couple of very light clicks on 'Bottled' and a small number of light ticks elsewhere and barely any static about sums it up perfectly.  A superb album that I don't think quite lives up to their debut but is nonetheless an essential part of any Budgie collection.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

This one-piece cover is so often found in poor condition and whilst this one isn't perfect it is at least in very good condition.  The top edge has only minimal rubbing and the bottom edge just a little more.  The thin pinched spine is very clean with only minimal wear and it remains 100% legible.  The corners have only minor wear and the opening edge has barely any handling wear.  The only real issue with the front cover is some ringwear which is common with this album and some very minor creasing top left and a small number of very faint creases next to the spine.  The back cover again has some ringwear and a little fading near the bottom edge and also 1.50 written faintly in pen.  Better than many you will see!

The original poly-lined Stereo inner has no side splits just some age related fading and some creasing plus a couple of minor 'nicks' on the top edge.

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

MKPS 2023 // 7-LNMG-261-1L / 7-LNMG-262-1L // I 1 / G 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

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

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