Frank Zappa The Toxic Shock Trilogy Assault On New York 3 LP set + inserts WOW

$

99

• PLEASE READ ENTIRE LISTING BEFORE BIDDING OR ASKING QUESTIONS!
• I am liquidating many of my records (LPs, EPs, etc.), electronic equipment and miscellaneous tools to create space for a new laboratory (see cochlearconcepts.com for details regarding my research). The electronic equipment I have for sale has been well cared for and served me well.
• I am NOT in the business of calibrating, repairing or guaranteeing USED items. Furthermore, I am unable to test equipment that requires special accessories or software that I no longer own.
• Refunds offered only if item is different than described. I cannot offer exchanges because I have a limited quantities (usually just one) of the item listed. To be clear: I am not a retail store or used equipment dealer. Unless stated otherwise, you are bidding on USED items. Items sold AS-IS, as pictured, and with no returns: PLEASE BID ACCORDINGLY!
• I pack items with great care (see About Me for sample photo). Small items will be shipped via Priority Mail. Vinyl records can ship via Media Mail unless you want expedited shipping. Large or heavy items will be shipped via UPS or FedEx Ground. When possible, I combine shipping on multiple purchases to save you money.
• NOTE TO BUYERS: Please be respectful when leaving feedback or rating sellers on transit time and shipping cost. Sellers DO NOT dictate UPS or USPS shipping rates. Shipping costs are conspicuously posted: Decide what's reasonable to you BEFORE you bid. When sellers are downgraded, EVERYBODY LOSES! Fewer sellers = less cool items to buy or bid on. Practically all issues, at least with honest buyers and sellers, can be quickly resolved in a professional manner. Sadly, eBay's "anonymous" 1-to-5 rating system enables perennial whiners to do just this: Whine. Who benefits from this? Nobody!
• I do NOT use stock photos--EVER! You will receive exactly what you see in the photo(s). I do my very best to provide accurate descriptions. I leave it the reader to do an online search for detailed specs, reviews, and information readily found on the web. I'll attempt to answer questions pertinent to the listing. Product manuals can oftentimes be found on manufacturers' websites. Most buyers have a good idea what they're buying: I focus on letting you know the CONDITION of the item listed, not the detailed technical specifications that you can find elsewhere. I am currently writing a dissertation and do not have time to provide technical assistance for the item(s) listed herein.
• Payment due by 3 days end of auction! PayPal ONLY (this method of payment protects buyers and sellers alike).

Thank you for your time! And now for the listing...

Special note regarding the sale of vinyl records: I do NOT use the "Gold Mine" record-grading guidelines. Here are five reasons why:

1. I've purchased records graded as "excellent" that I've would have personally rated as merely "good." Obviously, then, there's a subjective component when it comes to perceived distortion or noise.
2. I rate the condition of the phono record and its cover separately. A worn cover is one thing, a worn record is another. In some instances, the cover is more valuable to collectors than the album; in other instances, the record's sound is paramount.
3. It's difficult to judge a record's quality when the master sources came from vinyl records, not acetates. The sound of scratches and pops may be intrinsic to the record because they were already on the master, or vinyl record, sources. This situation applies to a lot of the Sixties garage rock compilations I have to offer.
4. Even a brand-new, sealed record can present with surface noise and defects because of age, improper storage, or for reasons that defy logic. For example, I had purchased a sealed, mono version of Talk Talk by the Music Machine. This particular record looked perfect (brand new), but the first playing revealed a lot of surface noise. Scratch-free doesn't always equate to noise-free. (In my example, the seller was totally innocent because the record was truly sealed).
5. I use high-end (audiophile) record playing equipment--refer to photo below. Please know, however, I am NOT the original owner of many records in my collection; consequently, I'm unable to give information such as how many times the album was played, what stylus and tracking force was used, etc. The best I can do is say whether the record has skips, scratches, audible groove wear, or whatever.

So, having said all this, I use my own rating system: The ELC Audio Engineering rating system. Records you buy from me will be as described. If I accidentally miss a glitch, talk to me and we will work something out. I don't hoodwink anyone. The only BS I have is my degree in Physics--and that's the truth.

Above: I use high-end record playing equipment in order to preserve my records. Please know, however, that I am not the original owner of many records that are in my collection.

This listing is for an original and authentic (i.e., NOT a reissue!) Frank Zappa Toxic Shock Trilogy boxed set (Magpie Records MPG-3001/4) that is in EXCELLENT condition. It is hard to grade the fidelity because the recordings weren't from polished, studio masters. I am not the original owner of this record set: I purchased this set (along with other rare Zappa LPs) ten or so years ago from a true Frank Zappa fan who took exceptional care of his records. Please look for my future auctions because I have more Zappa/Mothers of Invention rarities to auction next week (for example, 'tis the Season to be Jelly and All You Need Is Glove). But back to this auction... The record set being auctioned here is free of defects that distract from the music--there are no obvious scratches, warps or signs that any of the three records have been abused. The records look exceptionally clean--perhaps Excellent+ (and I tend to be conservative!). The two insert/flyers (Xerox pages) are as new. One page describes the music that is on the LPs. The record cover is, well, boring but in very good-to-excellent condition. I'm sure Zappa fans know what's on the records, but here are the titles for the three Toxic Shock Assault on New York LP/discs:

1. The Drowning Witch (New York, 1981)
2. Standing Room Only… Arf! (The Ritz, 11/17/1981)
3. Clownz on Velvet (also The Ritz and featuring Al DiMeola)

Here's my guarantee to you: If this record is not as described, return same item in same condition for a full refund (to include original, one-way postage).

Since this auction began (April 1), a number of viewers have politely asked what other Zappa/Mothers I plan to auction off. Below is my list (some rare, some not-so-rare). Note: All of the following are original issues with original covers. Please know that this auction is for the Toxic Shock Trilogy only.

200 Motels
Absolutely Free [Verve label]
All You Need Is Glove
Bongo Fury (with Captain Beefheart)
Burnt Weeny Sandwich
Chunga’s Revenge
Fillmore East – June 1971
Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention
Freak Out [Verve label, stereo]
Grand Wazoo
Hot Rats
In New York (1976)
Just Another Band From L.A.
Roxy & Elsewhere
Serious Music (featuring Sinister Footwear) [sealed!]
The Ark (July 1968)
Thing Fish (3 LPs + libretto)
Tis the Season to be Jelly [sealed!]
Toxic Shock Trilogy [currently on eBay]
Trick or Treat
Uncle Meat
We Are the Mothers and This Is What We Sound Like [sealed!]
We’re Only In It For The Money [Verve label, stereo]
Weasels Ripped My Flesh
You Are What You Is

Note to buyers, sellers, and eBay: Sellers have no control over UPS or USPS shipping costs or transit time! The goofy star rating is an example of how eBay has discouraged many excellent sellers. Fewer sellers = less cool items to buy or bid on. Thank you for your interest in this item!

Above: Yep, that's the outer box/cover. Exciting, isn't it? Below: One of the records included in the set. All three LPs are in excellent condition. Further down: The included leaflet/flyers.

Below: These pics appear in all of my auctions--they're part of my template--most of what I buy and sell on eBay is precision measurement equipment from my personal lab. Enjoy!