Queen : Innuendo A2/B1 1st Press

Firstly I will say this first pressing plays to a breathtaking standard.   The previous owner informed me that he only played his vinyls a few times so as to maintain their original quality and that is reflected in the stunning audio here.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE album the likes of which are rarely seen today.  The clarity and definition of the audio on both sides is so impressive and the vast majority is 'as new'.  I don't like to put a percentage on it but 99% can't be too far off the mark!

This is also one of the earliest first pressings as it has the rarer B1 matrix on S2.  Most of the 'first run' had an A2/B2 matrix.

The cover is also in superb condition and the lyric inner is immaculate, 'as new' in fact.

Please wait for the invoice before making payment thank you.

PCSD 115 // A - 2U / B - 1U

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 1 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Mint

The labels are Near Mint

The vinyl is visually stunning and has been so well preserved down the years.  There are only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines and there are no marks or scratches.  The hairlines are very difficult to find!  It has a beautiful mirror-like glossy sheen and there is only minimal spindle wear on S2 and nothing on S1!  A fantastic looking vinyl with mega clean run out grooves and labels also.

Play grading

'Innuendo' plays with a wonderful deep rich audio from the very first groove and with no intro static whatsoever.  The clarity really is of the highest standard and it continues to play with incredibly strong audio.  There are a couple of ticks on the 'Just passing our time' line but they are largely 'lost' in the music as it is so loud.  As any collector knows the quieter Spanish guitar section regularly has static, crackle etc but here the playback is beautiful and is as 'clean' as the day when first released back in '91.  How rare is that?!  There is no let up in quality as the track progresses and to the end it plays with superlative audio and no interference at all.  Even the fade out is perfect!  This would be Mint- but for the two faint ticks so will grade as Near Mint- as they are so minor.  A stunning version for certain.

'I'm Going Slightly Mad' I am glad to say is Mint from start to finish and displays audio of the highest quality.  The depth of the audio is equivalent of a super clean vinyl that has rarely been played.

'Headlong' is another track that impresses from the first groove to the last.  The definition of the audio cannot be faulted and each note plays with perfect clarity.  I cannot emphasise enough just how immaculate the quality of the audio is here and there is no distortion to be heard.  This is infinitely worthy of a Mint grading once more.  

'I Can't Live With You' and 'Ride The Wild Wind' end the side with 'high end' audio that again defies it age!  The clarity is equal to that of a vinyl pressed only yesterday not nearly 30 years ago!  The power and depth on both tracks is unrivalled, I have never heard better - as simple as that.  Mint all the way there is no need for a minus here!

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I do not wish to be repetitive but 'All God's People' is equal to the standard set on S1.  Such a 'high octane' track and yet there is no distortion and the power and depth across the entire track is stunning.  There are just 3 to 4 light static ticks on the fade out.

'These Are The Days Of Our Lives' provides further proof that the vinyl has only been lightly played.  The clarity is amazing and there are only a couple of mega light dust ticks, no intrusive interference at all.  This is more than deserving of a Mint- grade although I am sure many would grade higher!  Plus there are only a couple of dust ticks on the fade out.  An immaculate version of this all time classic 

'Delilah' is faultless and I can confidently say is Mint from start to finish.  The sonic quality is stunning and there is just no 'background' at all.

As we all know 'Don't Try So Hard' is one track that will often have some static or crackle but the intro plays beautifully with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  It is as close to perfection that you will find.  It continues to play to the same 'high end' standard.  The quieter sections play so 'cleanly' and there is no interference across the entire track.  Another Mint- track without doubt.

As you would expect 'The Hitman' plays with great power and depth throughout.  Each instrument can be heard so clearly, each note with prefect clarity i.e. there is no 'muddiness' to the sound as I often say.  This is Mint from start to finish. 

What follows is the most sublime version of 'Bijou' that you are ever likely to hear!  So often it plays with static/crackle and yet the playback here is so 'clean' and it really is an astounding version.  It is perfect - absolutely 100% Mint and it's been a long time since I heard one as impressive as this.  Wow!

'The Show Must Go On' ends this FINAL UPGRADE first pressing with such dynamic audio that cannot be faulted.  This classic will often display inner groove distortion but there is barely any here and the power of the track is tangible.  Such an emotive classic and it can be heard in all its glory here!  There is no interference and even the 'Go on' fade out is nigh on perfect with only a handful of minor dust ticks near the end.  A fantastic Mint- version to end this fine album.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE first pressing is getting harder to find in this time warp condition.  The playback is stunning and aside from the two minor clicks on S1 this is audio of the highest standard.  The previous owner was right when he said it had been looked after!  The clarity and sonic quality on offer is so impressive to the extent that there are hardly any dust ticks let alone anything more.  A stunning version that comes complete with a near perfect cover and an immaculate lyric inner.

The Cover

The cover is in superb condition and it has retained its original 'white' colour extremely well.  There is just a minor amount of print 'rubbing' on the front cover from the grey central area and a couple of other very faint marks but overall it is one of the cleanest front covers I have seen in a long time.  It has none of the discolouration that you so often see.  The back cover is equally as good with only one faint mark near the top edge.  The edges and spine have no shelf wear and the corners have hardly any corner wear either.  The opening edge has no handling wear whatsoever.  This is a stunning first press cover and they are rarely seen this clean today.

Lyric Inner

This is in perfect condition with no side splits or discolouration and no creasing.

The Labels

They have retained their original colour perfectly and have no marking or writing on them.  As stated there is only a little spindle wear on the S2 label.

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

PCSD 115 // A - 2U / B - 1U

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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