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Gentle Giant : Three Friends 1Y2 / 2Y2 2nd Vertigo Press 1972

This classic album plays with genuine quality and only minimal intrusion.  S1 has only a small number of light statics and there are certainly no clicks or pops, overall the clarity of sound is superb.  S2 is even better!  There is barely any static and the sonic quality is phenomenal.  The depth and resonance of the audio on both sides is very impressive indeed.  The vinyl itself is in excellent condition with only some faint sleeve removal hairlines.  A fine example. 

The gatefold is absolutely stunning!  I have never seen a more pristine example.  It has no obvious wear and has 100% retained its original shape and structure.  Incredible to think that it is 52 years old!  This second pressing was issued with a Plastic Bags inner which is still in excellent order.

As this is a second press it has the correct spelling of 'Peel The Paint' and Made In England on the S2 label.  However, it still has the first press 1Y2 / 2Y2 matrix.

6360070   1Y//2 ▽ 420  1 1  7

6360070   2Y//2 ▽ 420  1 1  1 0

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (T2 ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint )

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint)

The gatefold is Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a very impressive glossy sheen and there are no obvious marks or scratches to be seen.  Only when I look under a bright light can I see some faint hairlines and a very small area of 'hazing' on S2, it is not easy to find!  Under a more 'forgiving' light the vinyl is pristine!  The run out grooves are super clean and the Vertigo labels are more or less perfect with hardly any spindle wear.  The vinyl does have a minor 'lift' on one edge which is slightly more pronounced when you play S2 but it's not an obvious warp by any means and has no affect on the stylus or of course the audio.

Play grading

The percussive intro on 'Prologue' plays perfectly and the following instrumental section has no intrusion either not even a dust tick.  The first vocal section has no background other than half a second of light static at the end and the second 'verse' is flawless.  From then on it plays with stunning quality and I only 'picked up' one minor static tick during the quieter passage.  The powerful end section is superb and the long fade out could not play any better either, the clarity is incredible.  I will grade as Near Mint but Mint- is really not far off the mark.

The gentle intro on 'Schooldays' plays with stunning clarity with only a handful of mega light dust ticks that scarcely deserve a mention and a millisecond of light static just prior to the vocal coming in.  This vocal section then plays so clearly with only a couple of seconds of very light background static and a couple of very quiet ticks.  From then on it plays with impeccable quality - the louder part of the instrumental section has a couple of minor static sounds and the super quiet piano piece plays beautifully as does the following vocal.  The remainder has only a couple of very brief static sounds and overall I would say this track ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint

The intro on 'Working All Day' has no interference and the opening vocal section is so clean and precise - the depth of the audio here is stunning.  The instrumental section then plays with sublime clarity also, a couple of barely audible statics that is all.  For this final track to play so clearly is a rarity and the final vocal has just one half a second static sound.  There is no inner groove distortion and I will grade as Near Mint although as per the first track that could be considered a little harsh.

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The quiet opening vocal on 'Peel The Paint' has no background and the first strings section also plays with exceptional clarity and warmth.  The next vocal has only a handful of very quiet statics and one minor tick and from then on plays with stunning quality.  The first high octane vocal is so strong and clear and there is no distortion on the top end.  This is why the Vertigo pressings are so collectable as you do not get sonic quality like this on the later pressings / reissues.  The instrumental section that follows is incredible and again the clarity and depth is out of this world.  The final vocal is faultless and Near Mint is again a fair assessment of the audio.

Every vocal and instrumental section on 'Mister Class And Quality?' plays with stunning precision with no sign of any interference.  The sonic quality is phenomenal and I only heard a handful of barely audible statics which again do not really deserve a mention but as I often say I mention any background even if super quiet and totally non-intrusive.  This track is Mint- it really could not play any better.

'Three Friends' plays beautifully from the get go.  The 'choral' vocals are 'as new' and there is no let up as it progresses.  The instrumental sections are just as strong and this truly is the perfect way to round off this classic album.  The long fade provides another fine example of the clarity on offer here and again Mint- is richly deserved.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in fantastic condition and is easily the best I have ever seen.  It has been so well looked after and has no obvious wear at all.  The top edges are perfect and only the bottom edge of the front cover has a minor 'rub' towards the right corner.  The wide spine is just stunning and the all corners are super clean also with barely any wear.  The opening edge has no handling wear and the front and back cover are works of art!  There is no marking and the latter has only a very minimal amount of ringwear at the bottom, very very minimal!  The inside of the gatefold is in immaculate condition and overall it definitely deserves a Near Mint grading at the very least.

The original poly-lined inner sleeve has no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing.  It has a couple of faint spots and a some writing in one bottom corner.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

6360070   1Y//2▽ 420  1 1  7

6360070   2Y//2 ▽ 420  1 1  1 0

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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 : £24.95 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!!