I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid / decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

The Who : Who's Next A1 / B2 1st Press 1971 w/ correct Inner Sleeve

This genuine first pressing plays to a superb audio on both sides with barely any background, the clarity is stunning.  I guess you could the only obvious interference is one click but that is literally at the end of a fade out on S1.  Aside from that the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is exceptional and it is obvious the record has been looked after so well over the last 53 years, it is visually in superb condition.

The cover is in excellent condition overall with just a little shelf wear.  It is notoriously found in poor condition but this one is quite impressive and the back especially is much cleaner than usual.

The original inner sleeve is either dated 0871, 0771 or 0571.  It's a bit difficult to date this one as the second figure is not too clear but it looks like either an 8 or a 5!  The Head Hunters sleeve came with what is known as the first repress.

2408102 A//1  1 1   1 7  // MG 12888 (etched)

2408102 B//2 ∇ 420  1 1   2 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 & T5 Near Mint)

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

The cover is Ex-

The original Plastic Bags... inner sleeve is VG+

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with no marks or scratches on the playing surface.  Under a bright light I can see a small number of very faint hairlines and a small faint hairline mark on S1 but they have no affect on the audio.  Looking at it under 'normal' lighting it is pristine!  There is nothing that stands out visually on this vinyl, it really is a superb example of its kind.  The Track Record labels are very clean with not too much spindle wear.

Play grading

The classic intro on 'Baba O'Riley' plays with stunning clarity with just one very quiet static, and the following 'piano' section is very similar with only one minor tick.  As Moon comes in the playback is superb and Daltrey's opening vocal has no intrusion.  The audio is so strong and deep and that is of course aided so much by Entwistle's bass.  The next instrumental passage is faultless and Daltrey's vocal has only a couple of barely audible statics at the start.  From then on it plays with real quality - very powerful audio and no distortion on the top end.  The closing violin instrumental is just phenomenal!  The power, depth and clarity of the audio could hardly be any more impressive and overall this track easily deserves a Near Mint grade with the vast majority being better than that!

The intro on 'Bargain' is perfect and Daltrey's first vocal is just as strong.  It continues in the same way and the original sonic quality is still very much in evidence.  Townshend's mid vocal has no background and the following instrumental is equal to that.  Daltrey's next vocal is faultless and the final instrumental including the quieter acoustic sections is so close to perfect with just one light click at the end of the fade out and then another more obvious one in the dead wax prior to the next track.  That first click is literally right at the end so I still think Mint- is deserved.

'Love Ain't For Keeping' plays with exceptional audio from the first note to the last with not so much as a dust tick for company.  This album was so well produced and the sonic quality shines through here - I cannot emphasise enough just how pristine the audio is and it is Mint all the way.

'My Wife' is of the same exact standard with no interference to be heard.  The power and depth of the audio is undiminished and the clarity of sound is faultless.  Mint

The quiet opening section on 'Song Is Over' is as close to perfect that you will find.  There is barely any static and just one very quiet tick.  As the volume increases the audio is very strong and clear and it progresses in much the same way.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the quieter passages play with great clarity also.  There might be just a minor amount of inner groove distortion but it really is kept to a minimum.  This track often has a 'muddied' type sound quality I find but that is not prevalent here.  The closing section is stunning with Moon very much in the forefront, like I say the production levels on this album are superb.  Near Mint

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The piano intro on 'Getting In Tune' plays beautifully with no intrusion and the opening vocal just has one minor tick at the start and a couple of even lighter ones a few seconds in.  The first up tempo section is stunning and the next quieter vocal can is 'as new' for sure.  The clarity is incredible and it continues to play with not one single negative.  Real power and definition again, stunning sonic quality.  The instrumental end section is out of this world and if the opening section is Near Mint then the rest is Mint without doubt.

'Going Mobile' is 'as new' from start to finish.  The depth and power of the audio is astonishing - every note is so clean and precise, the clarity of sound is flawless.  Again the winning bidder should listen intently to every section but wow the closing section is phenomenal!  Mint

The intro and first two verses on the classic 'Behind Blue Eyes' play with sensational clarity, there is not one dust tick, and the 'chorus' is just as clean.  The next vocal section is equal to that and then the powerful instrumental / vocal passage plays with sublime quality and there is no distortion on the top end.  Wow!  This entire section is just fantastic!  The quieter end vocal then rounds off this classic with no background - this is Mint I am confident in saying, I have not heard as 'complete' a version for a long long time.

The intro on 'Won't Get Fooled Again' impresses on every level with zero interference and Daltrey's first vocal section is just as strong and clear.  From then onwards it plays so clearly and again there is no interference.  The power and depth of the audio again stands out and there is no discernible inner groove distortion whatsoever.  A powerful track of course and the sonic quality is just so good.  You can turn it up to max and still hear each instrument perfectly.  The quieter repeated synthesized part near the end plays with impeccable clarity and the finale including Daltrey's scream has no intrusion either.  This has to grade as Mint- and it provides a stunning finish to this classic album.

The Cover & Head Hunters Inner Sleeve

The infamous cover has only minimal shelf wear and nothing stands out as such.  The edges have some rubbing and the spine remains 100% legible with only a couple of indentations, 3/4 minor rubs and a little wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are in excellent shape with barely any wear and the opening edge has no handling wear.  The front cover is very clean aside from two small scuffs to the top right of the 'monument' and some light rubbing near the top edge on the left.  The back cover is so often found in poor condition due to its black background but this one is in excellent order with very little fading and only light ringwear and minor creasing top right.  A strong example and better than so many you see today.

The original 'first press' poly-lined Plastic Bags... inner sleeve has no side splits or tears and only a little creasing.  However, it does some age related marking / fading around the edges.

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

2408102 A//1  1 1   1 7  // MG 12888 (etched)

2408102 B//2 ∇ 420  1 1   2 2

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!!