FAUST – RARE ORIG GERMAN/UK 1971 EX CLEAR VINYL, SKELETON HAND COVER & INNER.

	£		64
	$		85

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all, and records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time as most record buyers will already know. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS including full side protection and bubble wrap, the records removed from the covers of course. All this very safe packing means I lose money on every box I post, but safe delivery is, and will always be paramount. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives. Also, I will pay for insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received if possible.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: FAUST

Album Title: Faust

Producer(s): Uwe Nettelbeck

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Why Don’t You Eat Carrots?; Meadow Meal.

Side 2: Miss Fortune.

Label/Format: Polydor. Very distinctive punched (etched) type customised format with foil like surfaces. These have the first incorrect song timings.

Label Conditions: Both clean and attractive, these have a tendency to dull and degrade if not looked after well. These still fresh and attractive with any dulling gentle and light. Spindle marks are few and also light, a few light general marks, but these will not prove easy to find much better.

Catalogue Number: 2310142

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 115 grams. About average for it’s era.

Country of Manufacture: The record was pressed in Germany, this for the UK market. Clearly (no pun intended), this transparent record was specialised and had minimal to no commericial potential, so they were pressed in their home country. So surprisingly the screen-print cover and insert were manufactured in the UK.

Rarity: Scarce. New and experimental music like this had few initial sales in the UK, actually quite surprised this was issued here at all. But the rarity does not stop there – finding any copy of this with a fully intact screen-print cover still in really impressive condition is beyond difficult. Most become hard and brittle, the edges split and the surfaces become more opaque and dulled, this one one of the finest I have to date and only has one very neat edge split that hardly registers. I do not recommend storing the record inside this cover as the risk to any example is considerable. Lastly, the record itself, being something of a ‘gimmick’ pressing (but all the packaging for this legendary debut album is iconic in rock), does not always play well. The vinyl can often be less than pure and surface noise is a regular problem, also the record can react with the transparent cover, often becoming very browned, especially on the rim areas, this is rarely avoided to some degree. This copy again has little of that, and the sound is very impressive with little unwanted. Again, the best example for sound I have in years, if not ever. An original copy in this all-round condition is now a rare item.

Original Year of Release: 1971

Matrix Nos: 19717 / 19717

Mothers / Stampers: H / H

Musicians: Werner ‘Zappi’ Diermaier – drums; Hans Joachim Irmler – organ; Arnulf Meifert – drums; Jean-Hervé Péron – bass guitar; Rudolf Sosna – guitar, keyboards; Gunter Wüsthoff – synthesiser, saxophone.

Brief Info: Groundbreaking and brilliant debut album by one of the most experimental and uncompromising Krautrock bands of the golden era. First issued in 1971 and UK copies were pressed in Germany with UK-made covers. The album pressed on ‘clear’ vinyl, which is the theme for the entire set. The iconic ‘Skeleton Hand’ cover was screen printed on transparent PVC and included a clear screen print insert sheet. Fragile and rarely seen fully intact and better conditions. As stated, this only has one very neat and barely obvious edge split. These were quite limited and the album was repressed later with a conventional black record and standard cover. Although not a picture disc, pressing quality was sometimes an issue, but this copy plays very well indeed with little unwanted. This too on an album that has quiet passages, this was a joy to hear on vinyl again. Musically, very experimental, it reminds of early Frank Zappa which is definitely no coincidence, and fans of the great man will love this album I feel sure. This sold in meagre numbers as would have been expected, but a massively influential album that has huge respect with other artists, musicians, critics and fans. It has to be one of the most important and best Krautrock albums ever made. Unlike most others in that experimental genre, Faust never compromised or became commercial, and for that, I have great respect. This, also like Zappa, a band and album ahead of its time, it broke new barriers in sound and content. Too out-there for most, even at this time of pioneering music, the best music has to be given time. The packaging was daring and original, and the music was the same. ‘Faust’ is a classic album I strongly recommend for those with an ear to listen.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): even with the clean and largely inconspicuous edge split, I think this grading is more than justified (especially compared to several I have seen over time). A flat transparent screen-printed PVC cover with an inside retainer ‘flap’ (to stop the contents sliding out). Printed and made in England by Autoscreen Ltd, includes the screen-printed insert with red text blurb by album producer Uwe Nettlebeck.

Cover Condition: This quite similar material-wise to Captain Beefheart’s original ‘Clear Spot’ album cover. Very delicate and fragile, age never kind to PVC as it hardens to make it quite ‘brittle’ and prone to splits and damage. The record placed directly inside will move, so edge splits are rarely avoided, often to all and vast. But this has just one neat one on edge opposite to the right opening, it hardly registers at all, unless really looked for. Repairing is hardly an option, it is simply best to leave it be and not store the record inside these days. The famous ‘Skeleton Hand’ screen-print graphic is superb and strong, any marks to the surfaces are few, gentle and light with any dulling equally light, even held direct to a light source. None more revealing than natural daylight, and on this bright sunny day, this still remains impressively transparent and clean. Any hint of ageing minimal with any traces of the usual browning very slight indeed. Few avoid often heavy browning or toning, this often affects the record itself, again this has been largely avoided with no audio reactions. The cover still lies very flat with no creasing or significant pressure marks, an iconic Krautrock piece of history that will prove very difficult to find much better.

The Insert Sheet: EXCELLENT(++): again, rarely seen like this. The red text pristine, the PVC still very clear and fresh. Held directly to natural (bright) light, minimal traces of any dulling at all. This is possibly as fine as you will find this elusive sheet.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT: arguably better. Any surface marks or blemishes are fine, quite few and light, there are no penetrating stylus scratches and the record has minimal traces of the usual browning or toning most seen acquire over time. Watching this revolve on the turntable is quite disorientating in itself, the clear vinyl appears to stop and start which is clearly an optical illusion – and a very interesting one. A vintage ‘gimmick’ pressing, but this one way better pressed than most I have heard. Visually a lovely, and then unique record that should please many collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing equipment, all listed further down.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This brilliant piece of groundbreaking progressive Krautrock plays mostly even above it’s high visual grading with little to fault. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high, and at times immense with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. This almost ‘Zapparesque’ album is a master-class in engineering and production. Experimental, quite uncompromising rock that leaves the senses reeling. A long-standing favourite of mine, any surface sounds are minimal and light, this a considerably above average overall pressing with no tracking issues* or manufacturing faults. Of course, the odd gentle reminder of what is actually being played – this has some quiet passages as well – but hardly anything of note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. Total silence on a pressing like this will prove nigh-on impossible, this format of vinyl ‘gimmickry’ was still as ahead of its time as the music and I am delight this played so well. If ‘silence’ is mandatory, the very first transparent original will rarely, if ever deliver that entirely, but no digital formats will ever compensate for the unique packaging and sense of history. It will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended, this is a lovely all-round example.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade – visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking – any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 17­ years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.