David Bowie : Diamond Dogs A1-oly / B1-oly Early Press 1974

This very early pressing plays with incredible audio on both sides with no interference and just one minor tick on S1.  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is second to none and this is another Bowie album I am selling that can be called a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing.  The sonic quality is nothing short of amazing!  The vinyl is also very clean with only some sleeve removal hairlines.

The gatefold has been so well preserved with only the bare minimum of wear and the paper inner sleeve is also in excellent shape.

I guess this can't be classified as a genuine first press because even though it has a first press matrix it does have the 'Bewitched' credit on the label.  One of the early first press variations you could say.  

APL1 0576 // ARL1A - 1 oly   A2H / ARL1B - 1 oly   A5B (all etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex++

The inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Only under a strong light can you see some faint hairlines but again these have no affect on the audio.  The run out grooves are super clean and the orange RCA Victor labels have hardly any spindle wear.

Play grading

S1 begins with a stunning rendition of 'Future Legend / Bewitched' which plays without any background / interference at all.  The clarity is 'as new' and Mint is well and truly deserved.

The segue into 'Diamond Dogs' is perfect and it then plays with unbelievable quality through every vocal and instrumental section.  I cannot overstate just how superb this version is!  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the audio is so powerful and clean.  Another Mint track.

The very quiet build up intro on 'Sweet Thing' plays with exceptional clarity and the first verse just has one light tick and no other intrusion.  It continues to play with impeccable quality and again all you can hear is the music and of course Bowie's inimitable vocal.  Near Mint+ at the very least.

'Candidate' plays to perfection from start to finish with no interference of any kind.  The high octane vocal section is so impressive and has no distortion.  Mint

The last of three song suite 'Sweet Thing (reprise)' again demonstrates just how infrequently this vinyl has been played.  It plays with stunning precision throughout with... no intrusion on the audio.  The vocal is flawless and the end instrumental could not play any better.  Another sublime Mint track.

The all time classic 'Rebel Rebel' ends the side with superb audio once more.  There is perhaps just a hint of distortion on the vocal but it's no doubt due to being the final track where the grooves are often pressed closer together.  It remains a stunning version and should not be downgraded as a result.  But I will say Mint-

----------------------------------------------------------

The intro on 'Rock 'n Roll With Me' is perfect and the first verse and chorus are equally as impressive.  It proceeds in exactly the same way with zero intrusion on the audio.  The clarity and definition of the audio is as per an un-played record and I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint such is the quality.

The intro on 'We Are The Dead' plays beautifully as does the rest of the track.  A number of relatively quiet verses here and yet the clarity is breath-taking... much like the rest of the album!  You would be correct in thinking it is now difficult for me to find any more suitable adjectives in which to describe each track!  Suffice to say this is 'as new' from the first note to the last including the fade out with not single negative.  Mint

Both '1984' and 'Big Brother' both play to the standard we have come to expect now - sublime clarity with a warmth and depth of sound that are 'as new'.  Both qualify as Mint as there is literally no interference to be heard.

The segue into 'Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Family' is flawless and continues in the same way.  No background, no distortion and even the repeated Bro bro at the end has no intrusion not even on the long fade out.  Mint

In summary this very early pressing plays with STUNNING quality and no interference.  Ok one minor static on S1 but honestly it just could not play any better and is another FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing in my humble opinion.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is incredible and it just doesn't get any better than this, it certainly has the wow factor!

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in lovely condition with very little wear and has retained its original shape and structure so well.  The edges have hardly any rubbing and the side spine is so close to perfect with just a minor hint of wear on the bottom corner.  The other corners are very clean corners with barely any wear and the opening edge is in fantastic shape, it looks untouched really.  The front cover is unmarked and has just one very small corner crease bottom left and the back cover just has a couple of minor crease that you only notice when you hold the cover at a certain angle.  The inside of the gatefold is in superb condition with only minor creasing at the foot of the inner spine.  A stunning example overall.

The plain white die cut inner has no marking, only minimal creasing and just one small tear on the central 'window'.

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

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

APL1 0576 // ARL1A - 1 oly   A2H / ARL1B - 1 oly   A5B (all etched)

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

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!!

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 : £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!