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Alice In Chains : Dirt A-1 / B-1 1st Press Columbia 1992

This very collectable first pressing plays to the highest standard possible with NO interference on either side.  All I heard was one very faint tick on S2 and that hardly qualifies as interference!  The clarity and depth of the audio is phenomenal and none of the original sonic quality has been lost.  It still plays with that strong raw power and resonance with literally nothing to detract from the audio.  The vinyl is visually stunning and I would not be surprised if it had never been played before!  There is no spindle wear and it has been so well preserved over the last 31 years.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE classic in every sense.

The cover is in superb condition with barely any wear and as can be seen still has the original stickers on the front,  The lyric insert has no side splits and only very minimal creasing.

This genuine first press was produced in Europe and has an A1/B1 matrix.  'Iron Gland' is not listed anywhere.

01-472330-20-1A-1 / 01-472330-20-1B-1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Near Mint-

The lyric inner sleeve is Near Mint

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  If it has been played it certainly shows no signs of it!  Under a bright light I can only locate a couple of ultra faint small hairlines on each side and the Columbia labels are unmarked and have zero spindle wear.  Superb!

Play grading  

'Them Bones' plays with superb power and depth from start to finish with no interference of any kind.  The sonic quality is as strong as it would have been when first released in '92 and Mint is richly deserved.

The intro on 'Dam That River' has no intrusion and it continues to play with stunning quality.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static just pure Mint audio all the way through.  Once again the clarity, power and definition of the audio is faultless.

The intro on 'Rain When I Die' is perfect with not even a single dust tick and the opening vocal is equally as good as is the first chorus.  The rest of this 6 minute track plays with sublime quality and again there is literally no interference.  So far this album is playing like it has never been on a turntable before!  Every section is 'as new' and that includes the long fade out / in / out which again does not have a dust tick let alone anything more.  Mint

The acoustic intro on 'Down In A Hole' plays to perfection and the opening vocal is just as 'clean'.  It proceeds to play with impeccable quality and, of course, no interference.  Little more needs to be said, the audio is so strong and clear and Mint is again the only grade I can give.

'Sickman' plays with phenomenal clarity and power from the first note to the last with zero intrusion.  This really is audio of the highest calibre - who said 90s vinyl lost out on quality?!  Another Mint track.

The quiet intro on 'Rooster' plays perfectly and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  As the volume increases the original sonic quality is still there and from then on it plays with stunning audio and.... no interference.  Great power and resonance and no inner groove distortion either.  The quiet final vocal has no background and Mint is again an honest appraisal of the audio.  It's not often I grade a side as Mint with not even a single minus but I cannot fault it whatsoever.  In essence the entire side plays 'as new' that's how good it is.  Wow!

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'Junkhead' begins S2 in fine style with that by now familiar depth and resonance.  Every vocal and instrumental section play with sublime quality and yes Mint is again deserved.

The title track 'Dirt' keeps up the standard and plays with stunning precision throughout with no interference.  Mint

'God Smack' just has one mega light tick during the final chorus near the end.  Honestly so quiet and hardly worth a mention, it's more of a dust tick really, but I will grade as Mint- accordingly.

The brief ''Iron Gland'' plays perfectly and grades as Mint

'Hate To Feel' plays with stunning precision with no sign of any interference.  The original power and depth of the audio remains undiminished and also grades as Mint

The percussive intro on 'Angry Chair' is flawless and the opening vocal section is just as strong.  It continues in the same way with NO background.  The percussive outro has no background either.  Another 'as new' track with Mint quality audio.

The final track 'Would?' completes the album with STUNNING audio, no surprise there!  From start to finish it plays with remarkable clarity and depth and with as much power as per 1992!  There is no inner groove distortion and Mint is 100% deserved.  I mean what an album!

In summary this very collectable first pressing easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic.  You just could not find one playing to a higher standard than this one!  No exaggeration it plays 'as new' on both sides with no intrusion.  Ok one mega light tick on S2 but like I say you could easily miss it as it is so quiet.  The clarity, definition and power of the audio is exceptional and I cannot praise it highly enough.  As detailed below the cover and lyric inner are also in superb condition.  This is one immaculate 'package'!

The Cover & Lyric Inner

The cover is in great condition and clearly has not been handled very much.  The edges have very little rubbing and the spine is so close to perfect with only a couple of barely visible specks.  It has only minimal wear on the bottom corner and the other three corners are extremely clean with barely any wear.  The opening edge looks hardly touched also.  The front cover is unmarked and still has the original 'Featuring Them Bones...' sticker, the original HMV price sticker and a sale price sticker would you believe!  The back cover is just as impressive and overall this is a stunning example of this album cover.

The lyric inner is in superb order with only very minimal light creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with Rega Carbon Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

01-472330-20-1A-1 / 01-472330-20-1B-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 MAY 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!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 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

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!