Pink Floyd : A Saucerful Of Secrets 3/3

This is known as the fifth stereo issue on the black Columbia label with the two EMI logos.  Not a first pressing obviously but it is a relatively early one with the tracks still incorrectly numbered on S2 - 1,2 and 4.

The vinyl is in superb condition and has only been lightly played.  The audio is 'as new' for the vast majority.

The non-flipback cover is also in lovely condition with hardly any wear.

SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 3 / YAX 3634 - 3 // MT 1 / TH 4

The audio on Side One is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 1 intro Ex+)

The laminated cover is Mint-

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeve is Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl has been incredibly well preserved down the years and has only been played a little.  There is not very much spindle wear on S1 and only a little more on S2 and it still has a beautiful glossy sheen.  Under a bright light there are no hairlines or scratches and it really is a visually stunning 3/3 pressing.  The labels and run out grooves are also mega clean.

Play grading  

'Let There Be More Light' plays with wonderful clarity throughout.  There is only a minimal hint of light static on the first 3/4 grooves and as soon as Mason enters the scene the playback is stunning.  This opening instrumental section could hardly play any better.  As the vocal begins the audio is 'high end' and there is no 'background' at all and it continues to play in the same way.  The vocal sections are faultless and the end instrumental piece also plays perfectly.  This is a fantastic version and easily qualifies as Near Mint although the vast majority is better than that!

The quiet intro on 'Remember A Day' is superb, there is not even a dust tick!  Thereafter it plays with a rare quality and there is no intrusive whatsoever.  With no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either the audio is so precise and fade out greatly impresses with no 'background'.

'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' has such a quiet intro but oh boy does it play well!  The clarity is astounding and is as close to 'as new' that you find.  Once the vocal begins the audio is still so 'clean' and there is no sign of any interference.  There is perhaps a minimal hint of static half way through for 4/5 seconds but is so minimal and totally non-intrusive.  The remainder plays with stunning clarity and with no clicks or pops.  This may not be a first pressing but any Floyd collector would be hugely impressed by the playback here and with so many quiet sections I cannot remember when I heard this classic play so well.  I will err on the side of caution and grade this as Near Mint but there are many I am sure who would disagree and say it deserves a higher!

'Corporal Clegg' always has some inner groove distortion and this is can be heard on the opening vocal.  In saying that it still plays extremely well and there are no other sound issues, no clicks or pops etc.  The majority plays with great clarity and there is actually a lot less distortion than on most versions I have heard.  This is not surprising maybe as the record has only ever been played a few times so the inner groove distortion is not 'increased' in any way.  An excellent version overall and the end instrumental plays with great clarity and power and does not disappoint.

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The intro on 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' has a little background static but it does not interfere with the quality of the music and it still plays very clearly.  As the organ comes in the playback is nigh on perfect.  As it progresses you cannot fail but be impressed by the clarity and definition here.  There is the odd mega light dust tick here and there but you expect that.  As the volume increases there is no decrease in quality and as Mason's percussion begins the audio is superb.  This particular section cannot be faulted and in all honesty is 'as new'.  Stunning!  The following brief quiet section prior to the church organ is again sublime and has no 'background'.  As the organ plays 'alone' the playback is sublime and this tremendous quality continues as this organ section progresses.  There are a couple of quiet static ticks but that is the only obvious 'background' thus far and is still very minor anyway!  The choral section also has a couple of light static ticks at the beginning and then plays with wonderful clarity and depth and no intrusive static at all.  As it progresses the playback is stunning and there is such a strong deep bass accompaniment.  No static distortion on the top end whatsoever and it brings this classic instrumental to a superb end.  A mega impressive version overall with no loud clicks or pops at all, and only the bare minimum of 'background'.

'See-Saw' plays in stunning style from the very first groove and having listened to every second I can confidently say there is no interference from start to finish.  Each note can be heard so precisely and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound.  This really is a stunning version and the fade out could not play any better.  A Mint- version if ever there was one!

'Jugband Blues' as we all know often has distortion but this is a fabulous version!  From the perfect intro to the very end this has to be one of the 'cleanest' versions I have ever heard.  The definition here is incredible and the brass section is a great example of that.  Wow!  The final acoustic section ends this little classic with no interference but perhaps the most impressive aspect is that there is no distortion from beginning to end.  A stunning final track.

In summary this record plays with immaculate audio and quite honestly it's rare to even find a 3/3 press with such impressive clarity and depth.  The cover is in superb order with no obvious shelf wear at all.

The Cover

The G&L cover is in superb condition with no 'real' wear at all.  The edges are beautifully clean with only a couple of tiny rubs on the bottom edge and the thin spine is quite simply 'as new'.  There is also no corner wear which is a rarity and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The laminated front cover could not be any cleaner and has only a few of the usual small creases around the edges.  The back cover is just as good with no marking, just one small crease lower right corner.  Being a later pressing this does not have the flipbacks but is nonetheless a superb example of this cover.

Inner Sleeve

The die-cut 'Important Notice' EMI inner has no side splits or tears and barely any creasing.  No marking either.

The Labels

The two EMI logo Black Columbia labels are in fantastic condition with no marking/writing and very little spindle wear.

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

SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 3 / YAX 3634 - 3 // MT 1 / TH 4

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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