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

This first press is of a standard that is so rarely found today.  The clarity and definition of the audio is so impressive and as always I have listened to every second of this classic album so as to give a full and detailed grading as below.

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

This gatefold is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear and lyric poster is also very clean with very little wear.

TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // MR 1 / AT 2

The audio on S1 is Mint (Track 4 Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Mint for the majority / Track 2 Near Mint)

The cover is a very strong Ex

The labels are Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The lyric poster is Near Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is a classic example of one that has certainly been played but has been so carefully handled over the decades and has lost none of its original quality.  It is visually stunning with no marks or scratches and all I can detect are a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines.  It has a fantastic glossy sheen and the run out grooves and labels are also super clean.  As stated there is some spindle wear but as detailed below the depth and quality of the audio has not deteriorated at all.  Superb!

Play grading  

The classic 'Highway Star' is absolutely stunning from the very first groove!  Quite simply it plays 'as new' from start to finish with no interference of any kind.  There are no clicks or pops and the power and depth of the audio is so impressive and the clarity is out of this world!  I can confidently say I have never heard better and to think this is on a genuine first press!  I cannot adequately explain how immaculate the audio is and a Mint grading is fully deserving.

'Maybe I'm A Leo' also plays to the same impeccable standard with not even a dust tick.  No more needs to be said - this is pure Mint audio and even the fade out plays with perfect precision.  I am confident in grading this as Mint and as my regular customers know I never over-sell my records.

The drum intro on 'Pictures Of Home' is Mint and then proceeds to play with a clarity and definition that can only be described 'as new'.  This is one record that has been beautifully preserved down the years!  There is no intrusion on the audio whatsoever and as always I listen to every second so as to provide a comprehensive description.  There is no distortion on the top end even in the brief 'silent' section near the end there is no 'background'!  The fade out again plays with perfect precision.  This is audio of the highest order and will impress even the most discerning of collectors.  I've never heard anything like it!  It goes without saying that this is also Mint in every sense of the word.

'Never Before' ends the side with 'high end' audio once more.  From the first groove it plays with sublime clarity and for any final track to play as well as this is a rarity.  If I was being ultra critical there is just a minimal touch of mega light background static during the melodic 'I was hurt...' verse but why I am mentioning it I don't know!  It really is so minimal and totally non-intrusive of course.  From that point on the audio is faultless and this track provides a Mint- end to the side.  And what a side it is!

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This may be getting repetitive now but the classic opening riff on 'Smoke On The Water' has no interference whatsoever.  With only a couple of barely audible dust ticks this is sensational audio right from the start.  It continues to play with incredible depth and power and the only 'background' is one faint tick halfway through, it is not a click!  I am again happy to grade this as Mint- and again the fade out plays with stunning precision providing another example of the fine clarity on offer here.

The quiet organ intro on 'Lazy' is beautifully 'clean' with no interference and only in the following section is there a minimal amount of mega light static.  As I often say it is hardly worth a mention it is so minor!  And there are no clicks or pops.  The instrumental section with the cymbal note keeping time is 'as new' I have never heard clarity as impressive as this!  As the tempo increases the audio cannot be faulted and this long instrumental again pays testament to a vinyl that has been so well preserved down the years.  The vocal sections play with perfect precision although there is one light click in the harmonica section.  That is the only 'interference' across the entire track and to the end this jazzy classic plays with sublime quality.  This is still deserving of a Near Mint grade but 99% is better than that!

'Space Truckin' ends this superb first pressing with 'high end' audio once more.  The depth and definition of the 'sound' again could not be improved upon and it's rare for this 'high octane' track to play with such distinction.  There is no inner groove distortion and the power just 'blasts' through the speakers!  Yes you can easily turn it up to loud!!  This is unquestionably a Mint finish to this classic.

In summary this first pressing is of a standard that is so rare to find today.  With only light click on S2 the clarity and sonic quality is astounding and it is no exaggeration to say 98-99% is 'as new'.  This record is not far off 50 years of age and whilst it has been played a  number of times there is no decrease in sound quality.  A stunning first press that would impress any avid vinyl collector.  The gatefold is also in excellent condition as is the original lyric poster.

The Gatefold

The laminated G & L cover with the date code 7204 on the back is in fine condition with minor shelf wear only.  The edges are so clean with no rubbing and the wide spine is almost as good with only a couple of mega small rubs and remains 100% legible.  There is a little wear on the bottom left corner but the other corners are in excellent order with very little wear.  The opening edge has only a small amount of feathering.  The front cover is extremely clean with only one very small crease and the laminate has no splits or 'lifts' at all.  The back cover is in similar condition with just one tiny 'rub' near the bottom and a handful of the usual small creases around the edges.  The inside of the gatefold is nigh on perfect with only a couple of small 'rubs' next to the bottom edge on the right side.  A fine example overall.

Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined die-cut inner has no side splits and very little creasing.  There is just a little age related fading around the edges.

The Labels

There is some spindle wear but the original colour is retained and there is no marking or writing on the labels.

The Lyric Poster

This is in great condition with only very minor creasing and one mega small tear on one fold.  There is no marking on either side and it is definitely 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 // MR 1 / AT 2

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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