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Deep Purple : Machine Head A-1U / B-1U 1st Press 1972 w/ Lyric Poster

This genuine first press plays to the highest standard possible with no intrusion at all.  I have just noticed I have graded every track as Mint there is not even a single Mint- in there!  The clarity, depth, power and resonance of the audio is STUNNING and it's been a long time since I last heard one as 'complete' as this.  It is easily a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic in that it just could not play any better.  That's impressive because it has been played based on the spindle wear but it has lost none of its original sonic quality.  I cannot emphasise enough just how pristine the audio is!

The laminated gatefold is in superb condition also with barely any wear and the often missing poster is in excellent order with only minimal creasing on a couple of corners.  I doubt if this is the original inner sleeve but it is nonetheless in great condition with only some light creasing.

This first press has no EMI logo on the labels and has 'The Gramophone Co Ltd...' text around the top rim of the labels.  The gatefold also has 7204 on the back representing the release date.

TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // GDA 1 / GGD 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The lyric poster is Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The labels are Ex++

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  It has been played a number of times obviously and that just goes to show how carefully the previous owner handled the record because even under a bright light I can hardly make out any hairlines, a handful of ultra faint ones at most plus one tiny faint speck on S2.  The run groves are super clean and the Purple labels have no marking apart from some spindle wear.

Play grading  

The intro on 'Highway Star' plays strong and deep with no background and Gillan's 'scream' sounds great!  The opening vocal section is just as impressive and the mid instrumental could not play any better either.  The power and depth on this opening classic cannot be faulted and every section plays with real quality.  Blackmore's solo towards the end is a case in point.  This is easily a Mint start to the album, a stunning version.

'Maybe I'm A Leo' is of the same calibre with no interference.  Every vocal and instrumental section plays is as sharp and precise as the day it was first pressed - no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static either.  The long fade out plays with perfect clarity also.  Mint

The percussive intro on 'Pictures Of Home' is 'as new' and Gillan's opening vocal is just as strong.  Once more the depth and resonance of the audio stands out - the playback is so clear and there is no 'muddiness' or distortion on the sound.  It continues in the same way with no interference - Lord and Glover adding so much to the 'sound' as per usual!  The brief silent passage is exactly that, totally silent - just pure unadulterated Mint audio from start to finish.

'Never Before' ends the side with genuine quality once more.  The intro could not play with any more depth and the opening vocal section is flawless without any inner groove distortion.  From then on the standard does not drop and the melodic chorus section plays with sublime clarity.  The following Blackmore solo is perfect and the remainder is just as good.  A stunning side of music with a Mint conclusion.

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The classic intro on 'Smoke On The Water' plays with incredible power and depth and has no background.  The first verse and chorus are faultless and it continues to play as you would want it to.  Every section plays with the breathtaking quality and the rhythm section of Paice and Glover is stunning.  The definitive version you could say as there is not even a dust tick here and Mint is an easy grade to give.

The intro on 'Lazy' is made up of various sections of course and they all play to the same high standard.  Quiet and loud in equal measure there is no background aside from one mega quiet static, sonic quality is phenomenal.  When Gillan eventually comes in there is no let up in quality - the vocal is so clean and precise and the harmonica solo is superb also!  The rest of the track is just as strong and once again Mint is deserved.  Stunning work from Blackmore and Lord as per always!

The staccato intro on 'Space Truckin' has no background not even during the silent 'moments' and the first vocal is 'as new'.  The first high octane chorus has no distortion and from then on it plays with tremendous definition and clarity.  It is such a powerful number and yet there is no inner groove distortion, the sound quality has not deteriorated at all.  Gillan's vocal towards the end could not be any stronger - this truly is an exceptional version and again there is literally no background.  Mint

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The laminated G & L cover is in superb condition with hardly any wear.  The edges have no rubbing and the spine is practically 'as new'.  The corners are so clean and only when you open the gatefold can you see a very small rub on the bottom right corner (back cover).  The opening edge has no no real handling wear and the front cover is unmarked with only four small creases next to the spine.  The back cover is just as impressive with only a couple of minor laminate creases by the spine.  The inside of the gatefold has just a 'scrape' at the bottom of each panel but is otherwise perfect.  I almost them actually because they do kind of blend in with the colouring.  A fine example overall.

The lyric poster is in excellent condition with only a little creasing on a couple of corners and has no tears.  The plain white poly-lined inner sleeve has no side splits, tears or marking and only a little creasing here and there.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM 95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

TPSA 7504 // A - 1U / B - 1U // GDA 1 / GGD 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 : £14.95 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!!