Snow s/t LP Vinyl Psych Mint Audiophile 1968 Original Pressing

$

26

Why buy from me? – My Audio Oath

It’s the things I’ve learned which I am sharing with you.  Not all sealed or unplayed records will play without any background noise or will always be “mint” once opened.  They might if cleaned properly.  Buying records which have not been played tested, makes no sense.  I can’t stress this enough.  90% of what is visually graded will not agree with your playback grading – Trust me. I have learned this lesson time and time again. If you see cheaply priced records, there is a reason. You will be disappointed more often than finding an underpriced gem.  Records cleaned prior to playing will significantly enhance your audio experience (i.e., VPI or Nitty Gritty).  Records cleaned using “Disc Doctors solution” blows the completion away.  After being cleaned, records should be stored in a polylined sleeve which will prevent repeat paper scuffing.  Shinny and Glossy records does not mean mint, or near mint, etc.  Records need to be play tested. Who you buy from will directly impact your audio experience – sound should not be compromised.  

What’s for sale – It’s condition:

 The Cover:  It’s almost impossible to find an Epic original from this obscure Psych band from 1968.  Amazingly, this cover has stood the test of time.  No hint of ringwear.  Slight fading or discoloration, but an all around solid cover with an intact spine. Rear of cover has a stamp “Demonstration Not For Sale” That's how rare it is to find one of these. Front cover looks like a sticker was removed at some point. – Excellent +  

The LP:   Original Pressing (1968) deadwax info listed below (1A/2A) Plays at my highest grading level.  I’ve play tested it several times and it’s clearly in my top category – Audiophile (see my grading below).  Side One has two surface marks which neither significantly affect playback nor grading.  Side Two is minty clean.  Labels are just about perfect and little if any spindle wear. I do not visually grade – EVER!  The reason is simple; some records play significantly better than they look while others look significantly better than they play.  Buy with confidence from me, always. All records are play tested extensively prior to issuing for sale on a very high end audio system.   

 Are the Records professionally cleaned?

Yes. All records are cleaned using a VPI 16.5 machine combined with significantly more expensive cleaning fluid issued from the Disc Doctor.  The difference between using this fluid and the standard fluid from VPI is night and day.

 Band & Record Information - Songs on the LP

A Psych band from Clevand Ohio, who was originally known as the Muther’s Oats.  Their music has been described as melodic acid-rock with oblique harmonies and a kind of twisted Peanut Butter Conspiracy influence.  Really good stuff here.  A must own, especially in this condition. 

Epic Stereo Bin 26435 (1968)  Side One XSB 138848 2A  Side Two  XSB 138849 1A

Track listing

Side one

1. "Where Has my old Friend Billy Jones Gone”
2. “The Golden Oldie Show”
3. “Old Uncle Timothy’s Flying Balloon”
4. “Engelbert”
5. “You Let Me Know”

Side two

1. "Song of the Sirens”
2. “The Flying Miraldos”
3. “Sweet Dreams”
4. “Bab’s Song”
5. “Catepillar”

 (All information on the band and LP is provided via Wikipedia)

Shipping Methods and Cost:

USA ~ 1 LP $4.00 Media Mail

(Priority rates in the USA are available but vary by geographical area. Arrangements can be made prior to shipment for an additional fee)

 Canada ~ 1 LP 14.00 -  All customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer.  Each additional LP purchased will be discounted as allowed based on the total weight and postal code.

 Australia & Asia ~ 1 LP $34.00 - All customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Each additional LP purchased will be discounted as allowed based on the total weight and postal code. International Registered Priority.

 EUROPE ~ 1 LP $34.00 - All customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Each additional LP purchased will be discounted as allowed based on the total weight and postal code.  International Registered Priority.

Multiple Purchases:

I will only ship up to three Lps per package – sorry no exceptions.  If you buy a double LP it counts as two and a triple would be three. Discounts for shipping more than one LP are available.  Please inquire first prior to bidding.

 Return Policy:

My policy online will default to no returns which will be the case for all first time buyers and infrequent “repeat buyers” until after you have placed five orders with me. After that, returns will be accepted for any reason on domestic (USA) .  Repeat buyer again is defined as having placed more than five prior orders from me.  The buyer will pay for all return charges (including the initial shipping charge plus all fees on the initial sale) . The objective here is not to allow buyers to purchase a rare item, burn it and return it.  On International purchases  – no returns, no exceptions.

 Customer Satisfaction:

I take customer satisfaction extremely serious here and ask the same of you.  If you don’t, please buy from somebody else. My objective is not from a pure profit seller’s standpoint.  I am an audiophile.  My goal is sonic enjoyment.  I want you to be happy with your purchase so that you enjoy playing it and come back to buy more records from me.  With that said, I have done everything possible to ensure that all things which were issues for me when I buy - have been removed so you get exactly what is listed.  I can’t control how long shipping takes. Within one week of payment, I will take the item to the post office.  In reality, it might be the day after payment is received. Most of us used media mail and the time it takes can vary from a few days to a few weeks.  Leaving negative feedback for shipping delays will more than likely put you on my blocked list.  I expect all buyers to leave me feedback from each transaction.  Needless to say with all that is going on these days for sellers, 5 stars is my goal.  I want to be your seller of choice.

 My LP Grading Method Used:

I have no real issue with Goldmine grading per se other than there are too many choices for my liking.  My complaint with others grading is twofold.  First, they visually graded to which I say “Mister if you can tell what a record will sound like by looking at it, then you are a better man than I” Second VG- which has extensive surface noise, is not VG+, or VG++ and was rarely if ever used correctly.  So here is my simplified system (three levels):

Audiophile – this is my top level.  It includes everything above VG+, or said differently it includes EX, NM and Mint.  I expect you to be very happy in this category, but there is a range here. You should be able to listen to a record in this group, which could include an occasional pop at the EX level, but you should not necessarily know you are listening to vinyl at the Mint level.  If I am drop dead sure that it’s Minty, I will let you know, but that is when the door to trouble opens and in walks subjectivity.  Highly collectible items will be included here.

Serious Listener:  This is quality item, but there is a distinction between this category and audiophile. Pops or hisses could be more common.  Some light surface marks exist, but will not affect play enough to be downgraded to VG-. This group would be GoldminesVG to VG+ group. The overwhelming majority of records will most likely be either Serious Listener or Acceptable to me.  Truthfully, it’s where most belong.

Entry Level:  A very enjoyable record which is price adjusted. The one consistent thing which annoys me most with others grading is that nobody uses VG-.  Perhaps others could hear imperfections if they did not visually grade it!  It should be one of the most common grade for all records below EX.  It’s the one that when you are playing it, you say to yourself, “it’s not a top level LP and you know that you are playing vinyl.  By all means it’s still a very acceptable and a collectible item.  Items in this group would be a VG- using Goldmine. It’s most likely comparable to others using VG+, VG++, etc.

How the records are cared for/stored post cleaning:

All original issued paper inner sleeves are placed in the Record Jacket or gatefold.  The Record Jacket/Gatefold is then placed in a tight fitted 3m resealable Poly sleeve 12 5/8 x 12 5/8 (purchased from Bags Unlimited).  The record is placed inside a 12” 20lb. white acid free paper sleeve with .75 gauge archival poly lining.  I put the record inside the Poly sleeve and its 100% perfection. It’s considered the best sleeve that you can put your vinyl inside. Never again will this record be subjected to paper scuffs causing surface noise. I’ve been told by serious collectors this is the best method they have ever seen and now use themselves. All record sales will include a $1.50 surcharge to offset some of these costs.