SYD BARRETT THE MADCAP LAUGHS A2G/B2G No EMI LOGO SUPERB AUDIO NEAR MINT-/MINT-
£
255
$
338
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Description
Syd Barrett : The Madcap Laughs A-2G / B-2G No EMI logo
This very collectable album is one of the finest examples I have ever listened to. It has lost none of its original sonic quality and plays to a fantastic standard on both sides. It has been so well preserved down the years and the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is superb. There are three light clicks on one track of S1 but they are hardly intrusive and this is the only 'interference' across the entire album! Like I say the clarity is stunning and there is no background static at all. The vinyl is also visually stunning and whilst there is some spindle wear (not a lot though!) this just goes to show how carefully it has always been handled.
If could be argued that this is a second pressing as it states Barrett + Joyce on the S2 label not Barrett except + Joyce. However, there is still no EMI logo on the labels and still has a the first press A-2G/B-2G matrix of course. It is still undeniably a very early pressing as it only has a single stamper on each side - M and R. It would not be surprising if both types of labels were produced at the same time anyway.
The cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and the original EMI Harvest is also included and remains in great condition also.
SHVL 765 // A - 2G / B - 2G // M 1 / R 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The laminated gatefold is Ex-
The labels are Near Mint-
The original EMI Harvest inner is Ex
Visual grading
The vinyl is in beautiful condition and retains an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches. There is only one small hairline on S1 that you would say is a little more obvious but it is still faint and obviously has no affect on the audio. The run out grooves are also very clean with only a couple of light marks and the yellow/green Harvest labels are in superb condition with no marking or writing. There is some spindle wear but certainly not an excessive amount. This is one stunning vinyl!
Play grading
The intro on 'Terrapin' plays beautifully with not even a single dust tick. It continues to play with unbelievable clarity and the only 'background' is three light clicks just after the 'Sunlight's good for us' line. From that point on there is no other interference and I cannot emphasise enough just how clear and precise the audio is. This album is over 50 years old now and there are of course many quiet sections and yet the clarity is outstanding. This would be Mint but for the three light clicks but I do think Near Mint- is deserved.
'No Good Trying' then plays with stunning clarity and depth from start to finish with no interference of any kind. This truly is audio of the highest calibre and Mint is no exaggeration.
'Love You' is of the same 'high end' standard and again it's the clarity of the recording that really stands out. Mint
'No Man's Land' provides further evidence of a vinyl that has been very carefully looked after down the years. From the first note to the last it is 'as new' which is so impressive when you consider there is a lot 'going on' with this track. Every note is so sharp and precise, there is no 'muddiness' to the sound at all. Another Mint track.
This standard is kept up during 'Dark Globe' with not so much as a dust tick. Honestly I cannot believe what I am hearing! There is clarity and then there is clarity such as this! There is no underlying static and this undeniably a STUNNING Mint version.
'Here I Go' ends the side with sublime quality once more. For a final track to play with such precision is a rarity and especially on a record of this age. No ticks, clicks, pops or static and Mint is an easy grade to give - even the guitar fade out has no 'background'! What a side!
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The intro on the classic 'Octopus' could not play any better and it continues to impress on every level. I must just mention the clarity of sound again - just listen out for every note, they really are so clean and precise. It plays with imperious quality throughout and again the fade out plays perfectly. Mint
The quiet acoustic intro on 'Golden Hair' has only a couple of very light static ticks and Barrett's opening vocal is also close to perfect with only 3/4 insignificant dust ticks. The rest of the track plays with great quality and no intrusion. A handful of mega light dust ticks on the fade out but this easily deserves a Mint- grade. I always mention dust ticks although I am not sure why! You find them on new vinyl let alone ones at 50 years plus!
'Long Gone' is spectacular! Admittedly this is getting repetitive (!) but clarity on this level is just so rare and especially on such a collectable album. There are no negatives and this is Mint from beginning to end.
The following trio of songs all play with stunning quality also. 'She Took A Long Cold Look' is 'as new' and you can so clearly hear Barrett's turn of the page at the halfway point! Mint
The segue into 'Feel' is super clean with only a couple of dust ticks and the long silent passage is exactly that, completely silent! It continues to play with crystal clear audio and you know the grade :-)
'If It's In You' ends this sequence with superb sonic quality...again. The intro and re-start is so impressive and is up there with the best I have ever heard. From then on it plays with great quality and just one tick after the halfway point. Such a 'raw' sound and Mint- is about right.
'Late Night' ends the album with a clarity and definition that cannot be faulted. No need to elaborate this is Mint from start to finish.
In summary this rare and very collectable album is a genuine FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic and is one of the finest examples I have ever listened to. I sold one a couple of months back but this one is easily on a par with that one if not better! Yes there are three consecutive clicks on S1 but they are non-intrusive as they are certainly not loud. The rest of the side is STUNNING and the same applies to S2. This truly is audio of the highest standard and the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is equal to that of an un-played record. I cannot praise it highly enough. This album was not produced in vast quantities and it is a genuine rarity to find one as immaculate as this.
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The laminated E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with not very much shelf wear. The edges are as close to perfect as could be and the wide spine just has a little wear at the top and bottom but it remains 100% legible. The right hand corners are very clean with only minimal wear and the opening edge looks hardly touched, just one minor 'wave' near the top. The front cover in unmarked and has only a handful of very small laminate creases just below Syd and a small number of creases next to the spine as is common. There is also a little laminate wear very near the bottom edge albeit minimal. The back cover is in superb order with only one small laminate crease and some next to the spine again. The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking at all. A very strong example overall.
The original poly-lined EMI Harvest inner is in great condition with no side splits or tears. There is just a little marking/fading around the edges and some light creasing.
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
SHVL 765 // A - 2G / B - 2G // M 1 / R 1
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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Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.00 per extra
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS! IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT. I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!
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