FREAK OUT Zappa Mothers Of Invention 1st Verve UK Stereo 1 disk EX-RAREST

	£		55
	$		72

 Zappa Mothers Of Invention /Black Verve UK Stereo single disk EX! UNBELIEVABLE AUDIO! SVLP 9154 1ST A1/B1 1 R 1 R

MORE PHOTOS BELOW!

LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES IN THEIR ENTIRETY RIGHT HERE!!!

This recording comes direct from the vinyl copy you are now bidding on, straight out of my NAD amp, into my ZOOM H2 recorder, recording directly into MP3. When including these recordings for this purpose I make no audio tweaks in any way to the audio recording I have done, I do not alter the weight of the stylus, though I do use a fresh stylus, as, I'm sure we're all aware, is healthy to do anyway, very regularly!  

And loads of the same collection here in my other items!!

Rarest UK pressing with beautifully impeccable audio - Try and Find Better!!!! SO RARE!

I just want to stress how picky I am on sound quality when grading, to cover my back I listen on multiple players, and with various EQs and through large diaphragm Headphones (with the high EQ right up- so's to hear ANY surface noise at all). Especially on a disk of this rarity I have been extremely careful to cover my back!

On with the show then... NO POPS/TICKS ETC!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

This was Zappa's (and the Mothers') debut both in the US and the UK, the original US copy was issued by Verve (on their US Blue label) as a double LP, the original Uk pressing played it carefully by only releasing it as a single disk issue, dropping 3 original tracks from the US issue, (then re-ssuing it as a double later when Zappa had a little bit more of a name for himself in the UK (with the dropped tracks included again)- notice I didn't say commercial appeal!). The original issue was released in both Mono and Stereo, (as you'd expect) and due to the mix-alternative the Mono is often more sought after, though I've read that this Stereo copy is actually rarer, but then I would want that to be the case!

This is a first UK press in gloriously seperated Stereo, in such amazing condition (more on that later!), but check out these stamper/lacquer numbers...

Side 1:    1        R (Second)

Side 2:    1        R (Second)

Very early for an EMI company!

Just give you guys an idea if you're not aware of EMI stamper (9 o'clock number) and Lacquer (3 o'clock letter(s)) codes for those of you who are baffled by this sort of thing, here's the rough idea behind them...

There's alot written about this kind of thing elsewhere, so I'll just write a little...

When manufacturing a record there's a long process, from the master tapes you make some master disks to copy from- logic suggests that the earliest of these is the strongest level, then from these you make imprints/lacquers to run the disks from and again, the earlier these are, the stronger (and some say deeper grooves) the signal on the final record.

The Stamper at 3 o'clock tells you how early a master they've used- ie the earlier the number the earlier the impressing- 1 being the first, 4 obviously being later!

The Stamper/Lacquer codes at 9 o'clock can itemise more exactly how early in the process this disk has been made, but rather than numbers here they use codes, all EMI companies at this period used this code: GRAMOPHLTD - G meaning 1, L meaning 8, GD meaning 10.

The very first ones off the press (some say about the first 300ish, some say more like 2000, generally it's thought EMI pressed roughly 1000 per lacquer) of a record could carry 1   G on both sides. Obviously to a collector, especially a completist collector this is the grail for each record. This doesn't bother all collectors, but I include this information here for those that it does. 

Therefore if 1G/1Gs are believed to be in the first 300, this 1R/1R by reason could be considered in the first 2000ish...

If you have information to smash my supposition there please let me know and I'll gladly include it, and revise the listing.

The audio of this record is in as good condition as you can get. So must be one of only a handful of such early copies of this album to be in quite this good condition- you can here the pops through the amps of dullened strings before they start playing and be sure they are nothing to with the record quality, absolutely not a "pop" and beautifully quiet vinyl, if there is something in the idea that an earlier press of this album having deeper and stronger grooves is to be believed, then this certainly helps hold that supposition up, just by the sheer quietness of the vinyl "silence" twixt track and during drop-downs in songs!

The sound in "The return of the Son of Monster Magnet" where it is a conversation with Suzy Creamcheese and there's long gaps of silence, well even on perfect records there's a it of "record silence", here there is less than I have ever heard for this album before, likewise after the line "America is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful..." that massive silence is truly silent! I've never heard anything like it on this album, but then again I have NEVER been in contact with another copy of this record in nearly the same league as this one. I think this is the final upgrade for any collection- EXCEPT the previous owner, in fear of this record being stolen (though by the amount of plays it looks to have had, I doubt it ever left his house, and rarely left his shelf) as with many of the records in this lot (his collection), very neatly engraved his name in the deadwax (please see photo), what I love about this way of doing it is that it only becomes apparent when tilted into the light, and doesn't in any way affect play or the lovely lustre of the rich black labels, however obviously there would be an improvement to the record if it weren't here, so to say this is the final upgrade for anyone would be incorrect as surely somewhere there's a copy as good as this WITHOUT a name neatly engraved in the dead-wax, however, please observe the photos below and make your own minds up as to whether you can live with this on your copy- the trade-off for impeccable audio!  

Sleeve Condition: VG+

The previous owner's name on the back (see photo) takes away a little, but apart from that, the tiniest feathering at the corners (in photos), a single bash along bottom seam 2 inches from spine breaks laminate, but only on front (see photo). spine beautifully legible, tiniest bubble in laminate above "Verve" bubble in top left corner of front, 6 of the most minor thumb crescents in the laminate, hardly there at all! Apart from the bump and the corner wear already mentioned the bottom and top seams are wear free, though the bottom, opening-mouth corner is the only significant corner wear (see photo) Opening mouth edges amazingly good, especially considering front laminate runs out about 3mm from the edge and the black print is still beautifully strong (as you can see in photos), and the back cover of this flip-back sleeve is not laminated. The back cover, apart from the already mentioned name is completely stain/wiriting free, which is really unbelievable for a record such as this! What looks like a stain along the spine flipback tab, is in fact where the laminate (unevenly) runs out, the dark line being the layer of laminate adhesive without "clarifoil" above it, likewise the very edges of the top and bottom tabs. The only flip back that doesn't look like it was pressed yesterday is the bottom one, which has sadly been rubbed and nicked above the "Lofthouse Ltd. Patents Pending" Text, and a small amount of rubbing right on the rounded corner near the spine flipback (please see photo for these) these really are the only significant wear and tear to it. Other than that, significant printed text on this copy of the cover is "418      File Under POPULAR     :    Pop Groups" along the top tab, and "6703    TPS      Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. Patens Pending     VLP 9154      SVLP 9154" along the bottom.

Inner Sleeve Condition: VG+

Original Verve company inner of this time still with record, no die-cut, "PATENT APPLIED FOR", "MADE IN ENGLAND" text inner, all seams holding strong, 1 less than 2mm nick in the top opening on one side, very slight/minor handling wear, mainly where record wouldn't be on corners. The very first trace of wearing on the bottom edge at 6 o'clock, though not worn through, other edges fine.

Label Conditions: VG+/EX-

Beautiful, about 10 very light spindle marks visible when tilted to strong light on side 1, about 20 on side 2 (counting every time a spindle mark changes direction as a new spindle mark- most of these look to be the result of 3 or 4 slightly clumsy line-ups, I certainly wouldn't say this record has been played nearly as many as 20 times- even with my audio checks! Absolutely no wear-through/whitening of labels, completely free of stains/writing etc. etc. etc. on both sides. KT tax code embossed on side 2 around centre-hole, though so hard to see, absolutely no wearing/whitening of the embossed letters... SO RARE!  

Record Condition: Visually EX- 

A handful of the absolute lightest hairlines to either side (tried to make as apparent as possible in photos below), ABSOLUTELY INAUDIBLE. 

Audibly: EX, 

As mentioned before absolutely crystal, not a pip or a pop, even the natural noise of the vinyl seems to know it's place! My stylus got a little dusty whilst recording side 2, and yet, it still sounds great!!! Possibly the only 2 ticks that could be listened for are in the silence (not on the songs) between side 1 track 1 (Hungry Freaks, Daddy) and track 2 "I Ain't Got No Heart", and I only heard these through large diaphragm headphones, with the treble turned all the way up!... But judge for yourself, listen above!!!!

Matrices/Stamper/Laquer Codes:

Side 1:

V6 5005 A-1

1           R

Side 2:

V6 5005 B-1

1           R

 PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY ITEM THAT GOES OVER £36 FINAL BIDDING PRICE I INSIST ON SENDING IT INSURED, AS SUCH POSTAGE WILL COST A LITTLE MORE, PLEASE WAIT FOR ME TO INVOICE YOU IF THIS APPLIES, ANYONE WHO DOES NOT WAIT I WILL EXPECT TO PAY THE EXTRA BEFORE I SEND OFF THE ITEM... MANY THANKS!

Photos Below,

Be sure not to miss any of the other rarities from this collection and others, that I will regularly be listing, by adding me to your favourites list!

Check out the rest of this collection here in my other items!

APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE FOR THE PHOTOS, MANY WERE TAKEN BEFORE I HAD DONE A GOOD CLEAN THEREFORE DUST IS VISIBLE ON CLOSE-UPS OF THE DISK IT'S SELF...

Side 1

Side 2 (the merest surface mark at 6 o'clock- completely inaudible)

Side 1 label... lovely!

Side 2 label (note the embossed KT tax code around the spindle hole, as far as I can make out, only the earliest copies of this and We're Only In It For The Money had tax codes like this as far as Zappa UK Verve LPs go... Tell me I'm wrong and someone has a copy of Absolutely free with embossed tax codes swell, but I doubt it, I have a 1G 1R Absolutely Free Stereo Verve up for sale at the moment, and that doesn't have KT tax codes... 

Catching the light on side 1 label!

Side 1 Matrix (and a bit of dust/paper on the grooves below!)

Side 1, mother code of "1".

Side 1 Lacquer Code of "R".

On side 1 the careful etching into the deadwax of the previous owner's name, this absolutely does not impede the sound quality, or even touch the run out groove!

Side 2 label caught tilted into the sun, still beautiful!

A close up of the centre hole on side 2, and the surrounding tax code...

OK not all of this is dust, some of it's the sun catching the contours of the grooves, but this photo shows off what I should have cleaned off prior to photographing, and also the side 2 mother code of "1".

Side 2 Lacquer Code of "R".

Lovely original inner sleeve.

Brilliant front cover, with just a small nick/bump near the left of the bottom, and a tiny bubble near each of the spine corners...

A close-up of the afore mentioned bump and the tiny laminate bubble near the bottom corners of the spine...

The only thumb handling laminate creases to note on the front cover, but also check out that beautiful reflection in the laminate!

A close up of the afore mentioned small laminate bubble near the top corner of the spine...

A VERY legible and crisp spine, I think you'll agree!

The spine from the bottom...

The amazingly crisp opening mouth (from the back)

The only significant feathering, bottom corner of the mouth...

Lovely top corner of mouth, how do records of this condition survive all these years?!

Top corner of spine, still beautiful: original pinched corners, so rare like this! 

The back cover, note previous owners name, written neatly near the top, the only real negative!

Look at the sheen of the naked, non-laminated cardboard, how does something stay so fresh?!

Beautiful top edge

Lovely bottom edge, note: the little nick in the laminate is the bump that I highlighted on the front, and the very slight rub etc to the bottom flipback tab is highlighted here and in the next photo!

Ever so slight ruffling back of this corner of the bottom tab...

So that's it, the rarest UK pressing of a Zappa album, or so I'm told, there cannot be many copies of this caliber, I have been as damning as I can be, and found so very little to say! Don't let this one get away!

This record comes from an incredible collection of very early (1G1G, 1B1B etc laquer numbers) presses of some of the very sought after 60s LPs, the condition is remarkable, and the earliness of the laquers unique in my experience! I am listing this collection in it's entirety (though I would love to buy it all- I have taken nothing out!), over the next weeks, there are some things have never seen before, such as a Beatles For Sale with the central KT taxcode pressing INWARDS to the record! 1G1G Verve Zappa albums! A lot of Dylan TMOQ (The Mark Of Quality) and other 60s/70s bootlegs, the 3 Decca Birds singles (featuring amongst others Ronnie Wood), various Widespines (Sgt Peppers, Zappa's Lumpy Gravey etc), REMIX 11 copy of Beatles REVOLVER in really lovely condtion, Velvet Underground on early Verve... Please watch this space! I have been clearing out of non-record related stuff over January, but am listing back again now with avengance! Please refer to the pre-christmas sales' feedback for my pedigree of strict grading! Many thanks!

I will of course, if you aren't ENTIRELY happy with your item offer you a full refund upon a quick return of the item, in exactly the same condition I sent it out in, I wont however cover the postage costs- just in order to put off any time-wasters, I hope you understand. I do have here some REAL MEGA-RARITIES, and I understand perhaps your confidence in me might not be complete, as I haven't listed for a while, which is why I offer this offer of full re-embursment. However I am not a fan of the trend of people trying it on and asking to keep the item but want a partial re-fund, I haven't had it happen to me, and want to keep it that way, so please don't try that, I will happily offer your full winning bid money back upon the safe return of the item, and I think that's fair. 

I am very strict with my grading, having been a collector myself for many years, and I try to include as much relavent information as possible on sales, however if you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask, I will gladly resond as soon as I can.

One thing I would ask is that the winning bidders do leave feedback, as it's annoying when people overlook it.

I happily offer reductions of postage costs on multiple-items, 

I try grade using direct sunlight which shows up more than anything (hence where poss I take my photos in direct sunlight too), however living in the Pennine Hills, contrary to popular rumour it isn't sunny here EVERY day! So when this isn't always possible, as a backup I also use a 100 Watt lightbulb, though when poss I try to use both.

My Record Grading System:

Mint: I'm really loathe to use this term, if you ever catch me using it, it must be sealed, but also no holes in seal, and no knocks/bangs/other shelf-wear to seal. Doubt you'll ever catch me using it, makes me wince when I hear people dropping that casually into conversations about a record they just picked up on a carboot/found in a loft etc!

Near Mint: Probably still sealed, or possibly played once or twice, but I'm unable to see ANY proof it's been played ie. no spindle marks/surface abbrasions OF AN KIND even in the strongest light, in short, I have a strong suspicion this, whilst possibly not fully sealed has never been out of it's sleeve!

EX+: Must have been reverantly played about as many times as you can count on your hands! Absolutey nothing audible at all, and you'd have to be looking hard in strong light to find fault with any none audible elements of this record package. If I get hold of a record that sounds, and looks like it could have just been carried home from the shop this is about as high as I go unless in exceptional circumstances. In most instances I've found records like this I'd consider them the final upgrade, I'd even consider some sealed records EX+.

EX: Straight Excellent has to mean just that, the kind of copy you wonder how somebody kept it in that condition whilst still having a social life, especially rare in 50s/60s albums, certainly not a grade to be taken lightly or thrown about willy-nilly. Nothing should be audible to the listener during songs, and even in the silences I'd only allow the most minute groove noise.The kind of record that you'd have to look a long way to upgrade!

EX-: A Bloody lovely record, I'd allow the tiniest ticks to be audible on this, so long as they are only a handful throughout the entire record, and they are WELL back in the mix. This is a record/sleeve/insert etc. that has clearly been owned, but looked after to a degree that you ask questions about the previous owner's social life! Perfect for DJ-ing (in this I mean no one will hear the pops! I think DJs should have the very best records around!)

VG+: The difference between VG+ and EX- for me is probably that the previous owner of an EX- possibly didn't have to worry about their collection being ruined too much, as they could count on their fingers the number of people that might have visited them annually, a VG+ is a more realistic grade, clearly played, but by a music lover, who took good care of their records. May have been present at social gatherings, but probably quickly tidied away when more rowdy guests turned up! Still usually  good for alot DJ-ing needs. 

VG: This is a good example of a record that has lived it's life without a glass bubble surrounding it, but it's owner has been quite careful, perhaps the odd feintly feelable mark if you go in search of it that would make an audible click/pop in a number of places on the records surface. Certainly won't be in any museum, but plays well from start to finnish, and whilst may not stand up to a DJs condition, alongside many collections, you'd be very satisfied.

VG-: As VG, but to a slightly heavier degree, might look a bit worse than a VG, else have the odd repeated click that bugs you in the fade-out of that epic side-ending song. Certainly not perfection, but you could do a damn-sight worse! OK for most collections, though there will be better ones that will probably come up (unless it's very rare!) 

G+:   This is starting to wane, shows more signifficant signs of wear/play/misuse. This could be through general carelesness, one bad night, or using a worn stylus, either way, certainly listenable/passable, but if you saw a better copy going at a decent price, you might think about buying it, and seeing what it's worth to sell this one.

G: Plays through but that's about it, signifficant noise that wasn't there when it was bought. Can still hear the song, but would only really be a filler. I doubt I'll sell anything this bad unless I really think someone will appreciate it in their collection. I'll take these down to the local charity shop and let them find their own homes on the whole!

I'll avoid anything less than this unless it's of signifficant interest, and then I'll clearly title is such. I really don't want bad feedback, and it isn't worth it for me, so I'll avoid this.

I feel my grading system is stricter than many I see used, but the sellers I respect on Ebay and elsewhere seem to be of the same mind as me, I'd much prefer to be known as someone who undergrades and you can get a good record from, than someone you have to wonder, "actually is their VG+ quite what I'd expect from that?". Hope I can win you over!

(SOMETIMES I MAY COME ACROSS A RECORD OF SIGNIFFICANT RARITY/DESIRABILITY THAT MAY HAVE A JUMP/STICK IN IT. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT I THINK SOMEONE MAY WANT IT (EG. IT'S COVER'S IN GOOD NICK, OR IT'S A PRIVATE PRESSING/PROMO OF LIMITED AVAILABILITY) I'LL CLEARLY MARK THIS IN THE TITLE "JUMPS" OR "WARPED" ETC.)

I have have had a few questions about international shipping costs, please do not be put off by the £14 quoted! Yes I combine postage costs, and will only charge  the cost of insured international postage, plus the costs of the packaging (I buy good cruciform boxes, and good stiffeners to post in, I am also pricing up the best way to pad your precious records, and so hopefully this next batch will even be shipped with bubble-wrap too as some of my previous batches have (please observe my feedback regarding this!! All very positive!)), the costs of my packaging will not be about £1 additionally to to costs of the insured postage only, therefore if you live in most of Europe the cost will be signifficantly cheaper than the £14 quoted, and if you buy multiple items, you will save even less! Please wait for an invoice!