Deep Purple : Machine Head A-1U / B-1U 1st Press + Lyric Poster

This first press plays with an immaculate quality that you so rarely find today.  The clarity and definition of the audio cannot be faulted and there is not one single click or pop and no static or crackle either.  This is FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE first press I am very confident in saying.

Only a genuine first pressing will have 'The Gramophone Co Ltd' and 'Made in Great Britain' printed on the label rim plus no 'EMI' credit either.  The gatefold is also laminated with the date code 7204 on the back.

This particular gatefold is in excellent condition and the lyric poster is superb with only very minor creasing.

TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // AO 2 / AD 1

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex

The lyric poster is Near Mint-

Visual grading

This is another vinyl I am selling that is visually in superb condition.  There is some spindle wear but this record has lost none of its original glossy sheen and is a stunning example of a genuine first pressing.  S1 has one very small 'hairline' on track 1 but it has no affect on the audio at all.  This side has only one other obvious faint hairline on it and S2 just two mega tiny marks (very difficult to spot!) but this is easily the 'cleanest' first press I have ever seen.  A superb record by anyone's standards and one that has been so well preserved down the decades.

Play grading  

With no obvious lead in static on S1 you just know the classic 'Highway Star' is going to play well and it does not disappoint!  The power and clarity of the recording is so impressive and there is no interference at all, not even a dust tick.  Quite simply the playback could not be any better and deserves a Mint- grading without doubt.

'Maybe I'm A Leo' keeps up this fine standard and plays without fault.  All I heard was one very faint tick but that hardly classifies as interference!  The fade out also plays with great precision giving you an indication of the superb clarity on offer here.  This is a stunning version of this track.

The drum intro on 'Pictures Of Home' plays to perfection and then the track proceeds to play with breathtaking quality.  The definition of the audio is 'high end' and every solo, every note plays to an immaculate standard.  Even that 'silent' section just prior to the drum roll near the end!  This really is audio of the highest order, wow!  Once more the fade out has no 'background'.  Thus far the audio on S1 plays with Mint- quality.

'Never Before' ends the side with, you guessed it, audio perfection!  Again the clarity and depth cannot be faulted and the playback on every track just shows how well this record has been preserved down the years.

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The classic opening riff on 'Smoke On The Water' has no obvious 'background' whatsoever and what strikes you about the entire intro is just how strong and deep the audio is.  Sensational it plays 'as new'!  The remainder of the track is equal to this and there is no interference - the playback from start to finish is Mint- once more - and another perfect fade out.  I listen to every second so as to provide a comprehensive grading which is what any buyer deserves.

The quiet organ intro on 'Lazy' has to be heard to be believed!  A couple of barely audible dust ticks maybe but in all honesty it sounds as good as any high grade vinyl pressed only yesterday!  No clicks or pops and no crackle either.  There is just a minimal touch of light static when the volume increases in a couple of sections but it is totally non-intrusive and I may even be doing myself a disservice by even mentioning it!  The super quiet sections just play with a clarity that is out of this world!  I am pleased to say this quality continues as the tempo increases and any collector would be amazed by the clarity on offer here.  The vocals keep up the standard and to the end this track plays with a dynamic that is second to none.  Wow what a version - I defy anyone to find a stronger more powerful one.  Mint- and 100% stunning!

'Space Truckin' ends this fine album with 'high end' audio once more, hardly a surprise I know!  For such a high octane track to play as 'cleanly' as this is a genuine rarity - there is no inner groove distortion and the audio is just mind-blowing!  A spectacular finish to the album.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE first pressing is of a standard that you do not often find today.  Put simply there is no interference of any kind and the clarity is astounding.  You have to remember this record is now 47 years old and whilst it has been played a number of times there is no lessening in sound quality.  There is also complete silence in the dead wax between every track which gives a great indication of the clarity on offer here.  Not only that but the gatefold and original lyric poster are also in excellent condition.  A stunning package for certain.

The Gatefold

The fully laminated G & L cover is in excellent condition with minor shelf wear only.  The edges have only a couple of tiny rubs and the spine has just a small number of mega small 'dings' and a little corner wear but still remains 100% legible.  The right hand corners have hardly any wear and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is extremely clean with only a few small creases next to the spine which is commonplace and one small 'nick' top left.  The back cover is similar with just one very small scuff next to the opening edge.  The laminate throughout is in great order with no lifting or splits and the inside of the gatefold is super clean with no marking.  A fine example overall.

Inner Sleeve

The original plain white die-cut inner has only one mega small side split, a little creasing and very little marking.

The Labels

There is some spindle wear but no other marking and the purple is still strong and vivid.

The Lyric Poster

This is in great condition with only very minor creasing and no marking at all.  One of the cleanest I have seen.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // AO 2 / AD 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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

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COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

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LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

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7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

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