FREEDOM Freedom A-1G/B1G 1st PRESS PROBE 1970 Stunning COVER & Superb AUDIO
£
100
$
132
£ 100
Sold For
Sep 28, 2025
Sold Date
Sep 18, 2025
Start Date
10
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently. Freedom : Freedom A-1G / B-1G 1st Press 1970 Probe
This classic first pressing plays to an incredible standard with barely any intrusion. 'Dusty Track' on S1 has a couple of light clicks but that is the only interference. The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is stunning and S2 in particular is phenomenal. The vinyl itself is in superb condition and has hardly been played, that much is obvious.
I have listened to three of their albums, this one and the two Vertigos, and this one in my opinion is easily the strongest. It's a shame it wasn't a Vertigo pressing because maybe they would have received more attention / critical praise but at least it got them signed to that label. It truly is a STUNNING album, the vocals and musicianship are superb to say the least.
The E.J. Day cover is also a stand out feature. It has been so well preserved and has perfectly retained its original shape and structure. The original plain white inner is also in excellent condition.
This first pressing has the G1 holy grail of mother / stampers on S1 and T1 on S2. It doesn't get a lot earlier than that!
SPBA 6252 A-1G G 1 // SPBA 6252 B-1G T 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Ex+ / T4 Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T4 Near Mint)
The gatefold is Near Mint- The original inner sleeve is Ex
The Probe labels are Mint
Visual description
The vinyl is visually stunning and still holds a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches. Under a strong bright light I can only locate a small small number of ultra faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out. They are difficult to find! There is no groove or surface wear and the pink Probe labels are in perfect condition with no marking or wear.
Play Grading
The run in on S1 is so clean and the quiet intro on 'Nobody' is close to perfect with only a couple of barely audible statics. The rest of the intro is faultless and the opening vocal section could not play any better. Exceptional clarity and depth and the power and definition of the audio is superb also. This sound quality is very much in evidence during Saunders' mid guitar solo and the remainder is of the same high end standard. A near perfect Mint- version.
'In Search Of Something' impresses on so many levels. The intro is so strong and clear and Harrison's opening vocal is equal to that as is the following chorus. Combining rock with a very melodic touch this plays with sublime quality through every section, each note so sharp and concise and with no distortion on the top end. To the end I can't fault it, just a couple of dust ticks on the fade out, and Mint- is again deserved.
The intro on 'Dusty Track' as well as being damn good plays with unbelievable clarity, power and depth. The first vocal is on the same level and it continues to play with very strong audio. Saunders' first solo is immense and whilst it may run at nearly 8 minutes the only intrusion is one light click on the next vocal at the halfway point and another slightly more obvious one during the next guitar solo. It has to be said this is a classic rock track and along with Saunders' superb work, Monaghan's deep driving bass sound deserves a mention also. Sonically this track is superb! The final vocal has only a couple of minor statics and the outro is similar. The vast majority plays with stunning quality and overall I do think Ex+ is still an honest appraisal of the audio.
'Man Made Laws' ends the side with great quality once more. The intro and opening vocal have no background and it proceeds in much the same way. Perhaps a slightly 'muddied' sound but it really is so minor and scarcely worth a mention. The brief quiet vocal is so clean and the remainder plays with real quality and only the bare minimum of inner groove distortion i.e. hardly any. Near Mint
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The high powered intro on 'Ain't No Chance To Score' plays superbly with no intrusion and the opening vocal is just as strong. The first melodic chorus is perfect and this bluesy number continues in the same way. An underrated band in my opinion - Saunders' guitar work, along with the rhythm section of Harrison and Monaghan are so in synch and sonically this is fantastic! However, it is Saunders' that really stands out, a great guitarist! It has to be turned up to max and you lose none of the original sound quality and the mid instrumental is a prime example of that! Love this track, had to play it twice! They perfectly combine a hard rock 'feel' with a distinctive melodic sound and from start to finish there is no interference. Just a hint of mega light static for a couple of brief moments in the 'quieter' passages - they don't last long! The end vocal is another example of the 'sound' that I am on about, incredible depth and power and impeccable clarity also. A STUNNING Mint- track.
The 'spoken' segue into 'Pretty Woman' does have a little background static but then the intro and opening vocal plays to perfection. This standard does not drop - I only heard one very missable light static and there are no clicks or pops, no intrusion at all. Another near 6 minute track and the clarity, power and definition of the audio is high end - this is clearly a record that has been so well looked after and only lightly played. Saunders' again displaying great skill and touch - I'm tempted to say Mint but I will say Mint- just to be a little cautious. I'm not counting the spoken intro as part of the track!
The title track 'Freedom' plays with such quality, I cannot fault it. Very strong vocals / background vocals which are just as important to their 'sound' as much as the instrumental work. Again I cannot overstate just how impressive the sonic quality is here, a superb listen! A little light static on the fade out but I can't downgrade it because of that. Mint-
I'm running out of superlatives now! 'Frustrated Woman' ends this classic album with STUNNING audio, it is seriously good! Right from the start I was struck by the audio levels here - the classic riff sound is so strong and powerful and the vocals again are the perfect accompaniment. Every section plays with sublime quality and for once there is no obvious distortion on the top end. There is just a minimal amount of light static during the first quiet passage but barely any on the second. The closing section suitably ends with superb vocals and that great riff sound and a very clean fade out with only minimal static at the very end. I'm going to be a little harsh on myself and say Near Mint here but needless to say this is a stunning version that again demands to be played loud. What a side!!
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The laminated E.J. Day cover is in superb condition with no obvious wear. The edges have no rubbing and the wide spine is near perfect with just one faint crease mark near by the cat number and is also slightly angled near the bottom. It's amazing how wide it is still is though. All the corners have barely any wear and the opening edge is in lovely condition also. The front cover is so clean with just one small laminate crease next to the spine and the usual faint marking running down the right edge which the laminate does not cover. The back cover is just as impressive and the inside of the gatefold is stunning with barely any marking, just a very small amount of minor fading on a couple of edges. So minor and you have to go looking for it! The right panel has just has minimal 'lift' next to the inner spine but this is common with these two-piece gatefolds. A stunning example overall and the 'issues' I have mentioned are very minor anyway.
The original die-cut inner sleeve is in great shape with no side splits or tears, very little marking and only light creasing.
SPBA 6252 A-1G G 1 // SPBA 6252 B-1G T 1
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM-95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the topsGREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM
Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.
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Postage & Packaging
I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping. This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage. The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered. Any over-payment will always be refunded.
The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD). An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known. Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing. Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Many thanks.
All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection. They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection. I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.
The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each. There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up! Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra
If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed. If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!
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