DEEP PURPLE MACHINE HEAD A1/B1 1st PRESS + LYRIC POSTER *SUPERB* MINT- AUDIO
£
116
$
154
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Description
Deep Purple : Machine Head A1 / B1 inc Lyric Poster
This is the finest first pressing that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to and I'm not sure I want to part with it! It is from the same 'home' as 'Fireball' one of the other Purple first pressings that I am selling and the sonic quality is equally as good. I don't often say this but you would think this was 'as new' on first play. The clarity, warmth and definition of the audio is second to none and as always I have played every second so as give a true reflection of the STUNNING audio.
In fact I can confidently say this record has only been lightly played based on various factors. One, the audio quality of course - two, the fantastic visual quality - and three, there is only very minimal spindle wear.
As this is a genuine first press there is no EMI logo on the labels and has 'The Gramophone Co. Ltd' around the top of the perimeter edge and 'Made In Gt. Britain' at the foot of the label. And of course the A1U/B1U matrix.
The gatefold is in great condition with only very minimal wear and it comes complete with the original fold out lyric poster which is also is superb shape.
Shipping costs to the US have increased recently so please wait for the invoice. As an example I recently sent 3 LPs via tracked shipping and this cost just over £34.00 - packaging costs not included!
TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // GO 1 / RP 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The gatefold is Ex+
The lyric poster is Near Mint
The original inner is Near Mint
The labels are Mint-
Visual grading
This is one stunning vinyl! To say it looks 'shop fresh' is no exaggeration and this is easily one of the finest records from this era, visually speaking, that I have ever seen. It has no marks or scratches and under a strong light I cannot even detect any hairlines. It has a glorious jet-black glossy sheen and you can see each groove so clearly. It plays as good as it looks! There is only very minimal spindle wear and the run out grooves are also super clean.
Play grading
The classic 'Highway Star' is phenomenal from start to finish! The 'high octane' intro could not play any stronger and as Gillan's vocal comes in the audio is equally as good. The clarity and depth is outstanding and it plays 'as new' I can pay it no higher compliment. I cannot emphasise enough just how sensational this version is - this is pure audio poetry! There is no interference and Mint is totally justified. STUNNING! I had to play it again just to confirm I had witnessed the most complete version that I have ever heard!
'Maybe I'm A Leo' is of the same 'high end' standard with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever. Again I just cannot believe the warmth and depth of the audio here. Mint in every way with a perfect fade out also.
The percussive intro on 'Pictures Of Home' plays with stunning precision and continues to play with wonderful depth and power. I did hear one faint tick during Blackmore's first extended solo but you could easily miss it as it is very much in the background. The remainder is without fault and again you can turn this up to maximum without fear of distortion. The audio quality has not degenerated over the years at all. Mint-
The intro on 'Never Before' provides another example of the audio definition. The audio is so deep and rich, the playback cannot be faulted. It proceeds to play with stunning accuracy and for once there is no inner groove distortion. From beginning to end there is no 'background' and is easily a Mint finish to the side. And wow what a side!
----------------------------------------------------------------------- The iconic intro on 'Smoke On The Water' is 'as new' - it is so clean and precise and provides the perfect start to this classic. It proceeds to play with exceptional quality and as per S1 there is no interference of any kind. The sonic quality is of a standard that you so rarely find on these first pressings and I cannot adequately put into words how superb this sounds! This album was recorded 'loud' and because it has been so well preserved and not overplayed there has been no loss of audio quality. This is the definitive version and Mint is more than deserved. The clarity and depth throughout cannot be faulted and that is further exemplified by a perfect fade out with not even a solitary dust tick.
The slow build up on 'Lazy' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of insignificant dust ticks and having played this intro twice now I can confirm it is immaculate! There are many quiet moments and yet they all play with the same precision and as the tempo increase the playback is phenomenal. The audio is so deep and rich and it continues to play with age defying quality when the vocal eventually comes in. The rest of this classic is of the same standard with not one iota of interference. Another Mint track I am delighted to say.
'Space Truckin' ends this AMAZING album with immense power and depth from the get go. This is of course a 'high octane' number and yet it has lost none of its original quality and for a final track to play this clearly is a rarity indeed. There is no inner groove distortion and there is just no 'background' of any kind. None. The percussive section is faultless and to the very end it plays with sensational clarity and power. Yes this is a very powerful track and I for one cannot believe the clarity on offer here. This is a final track on the side where the grooves are often compressed closer together and yet it plays as well as the preceding tracks! To the very end with no interference on the fade out. Without question this is a Mint finish to this classic album.
In summary this first pressing plays to a standard that is rarely found today and let's not forget it is nearly 50 years old! The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio on offer here more than provides enough evidence as to why we listen to vinyl. This sonic quality cannot be replicated by any other medium. In essence what we have here is a PERFECT first pressing that has no interference on either side but not just that. There is just NO loss in audio quality whatsoever. This is a FINAL UPGRADE album for sure, the audio could not be improved upon.
The Gatefold & Lyric Poster
The laminated G & L gatefold is in excellent condition with only very minimal shelf wear. The edges have no rubbing at all and the spine is very clean with no marking. It is slightly compressed so the letters are a little 'shortened' but are still easily 100% legible. All of the corners have hardly any wear and the opening edge is also in great shape with barely any handling wear which is not surprising I guess. The front cover is near perfect with only a handful of small laminate creases around the edges, this is commonly seen, and the back cover is almost as good. A few faint edge creases again and a couple of mega tiny pin holes bottom left and a crease top right. This crease can only be seen when you hold the cover at a certain angle, it is not obvious. The inside of the gatefold is near perfect apart from a minor amount of rubbing by the bottom edge of the right panel. So any wear this impressive cover is only superficial really and it has certainly stood the test of time extremely well.
The fold out lyric poster is in superb order with no tears or marks and hardly any creasing. It has probably not often seen the light of day! It has only a couple of very minor corner creases. A great example.
The Inner Sleeve
The original EMI company sleeve has no side splits or tears and hardly any creasing either. For once there is no age related fading and it remains very clean indeed.
The Labels
They are in fantastic condition with no marking or writing and only a minor amount of spindle wear as stated. They are so clean and have lost none of their original colour.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // GO 1 / RP 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
Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!
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Postage & Packaging
I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. THIS IS OFTEN 'BUILT' INTO THE SHIPPING CHARGE ALREADY.
WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.
FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY. THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.
COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.
UK Postage Rates (First Class)
LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item
7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra
EUROPE (Standard)
LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Standard)
LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra
I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!
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