Frank Zappa We’re Only In It For The Money UK Verve 1st Stereo 1G1G Earliest

	£		47
	$		62

Frank Zappa We’re Only In It For The Money UK Verve 1st Stereo 1G1G Earliest! MOI Mothers

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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! 

Here we have possibly my favourite Zappa LP of all time, ands the very first UK Stereo pressing Verve. This is the Censored version cutting a few passages out, very odd choices to cut though! The UK version didn’t have the Sgt Pepper’s style cardboard cut-out insert that the US copies had. This is also one of the hardest LPs I’ve ever had to audio-grade on! The sounds etc are all over the place! Luckily I am very familiar with this LP!

The very first run of the UK Stereo records (in fact all of the contemporary runs of this LP in the UK) were the “Heavily Censored Versions”, which I didn’t know about when I first heard it and was wracking my brains trying to see what miniscule fault might be making such a tiny jump! Luckily for me and you, I got straight onto the forums and realized my mistake- there’s lots written about the heavily censored UK version of this album so I’ll brush over it fairly fast, but  I have indepth compared this to other copies, just to make sure there were no incongruities (as this is the very first Mother and Lacquer plate on both sides) to the usual original 1968 UK runs of this LP, but there is no difference I can tell. Generally pretty clumsy editing, definitely audible to those who know the CD release, or other releases! And almost all edits not done by Zappa! (“Except the Don’t Come In Me” during Harry You’re A Beast, that still remains edited on the CD version.) Notably in Who Needs The Peace Corps, the line “I will love the police as they kick the sh-t out of me on the street>” is edited out of the song, and very strangely the line “And I still remember Mama with her apron and her pad, feeding all the boys in Ed’s Café” out of Let’s Make The Water Turn Black, (apparently the execs thought that “pad” was some perverse reference to a sanitary towel in this instance! There are a couple of very slight censored parts such as the spoken bit talking about roady-ing for the Velvet Underground who are nearly “as sh-tty as Frank Zappa’s group”, and the words “Balling” and “Flower Power Sucks” are cut from Absolutely Free…

This particular copy has the very first mother stamp (1) and the very first lacquer code (G) on both sides, making it one of THE BVERY FIRST RUN of this LP to be pressed, definitely day 1 of pressing, and the very first ones done then!

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 others say up to 2000) 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.

This record bears stamper/lacquer codes 1G  (1st)   1G   (1st), often the stampers don't quite match, though the ones that often do are the very first 2, 1G1G and that’s just what we have right here in all it’s beautiful glory! 1G/1G copies are believed to be in the first 1000 copies (generally accepted for EMI subsidiaries at this period)pressed, this then has to be up there as a contender for the very best condition surviving copy of that very first run!

Conditions at a glance:

Sleeve Condition: VG+/EX-

A lovely crisp copy of this seminal LP, so often missing from people’s collection! Laminated Gatefold inside and out, with top-flip-back tabs onto the inner. Made by Garrod and Lofthouse, though not with the usual pinched corners that most of the sleeves they designed for Verve’s UK releases at this time, rather a spine that goes square to the edge,  though unlike the copy of Lumpy Gravy I currently have up for sale, this I wouldn’t describe as a WIDESPINE, though it is 4mm deep. The beautiful front laminate has no breaks in the laminate, and reflects wonderfully, there is 1 thumb handling laminate crease about 3inches in from the opening mouth, half way up, there are 6 very slight crows-feet style laminate creases from the spine though all but 2 of these are under 1cm long, and all are very minor. There are 2 similar crows feet laminate creases from the top edge of a similar size. All corners are good and square, with the non-laminated top and bottom edge of the gatefold spine ever so slightly worn (this was never laminated, and was always bare cardboard along it’s top edge). There is absolutely no significant wear along the top or bottom edges of the sleeve, front or back. On the spine, the laminate has clearly contracted, as there is a very thin line along the centre that is no longer protected by laminate, though there is absolutely no wearing/nicking/fading etc, to the printing below. The Sine really is beautifully legible, and is square right across to the corners.

The Back Sleeve laminate gloss is also lovely, there are 4 crowsfoot style laminate creases coming from the spine, all around the 1cm mark in length, one of which represents the only break in the laminate, and just a nick at that.

There are 5 handling thumb laminate creases, and slight handling creases in the laminate near the bottom edge aswell. There is a very small laminate bubble at the bottom left hand corner measuring  about 1cm by 6mm across, this also has a very small nick in the bubble in the laminate, though none has peeled away/fallen off. Lastly just over an inch from the top of the opening mouth, there has been a very slight knock, which has resulted in another little laminate ripple near the edge, though again no rip in the laminate etc.

The Inside Sleeve is absolutely great! Clean sheen of the laminate means you could do your hair in it’s reflection! Ja! Bottom and top edges beautiful. Opening mouth edges crisp and spot on! All in all I can make out 7 very, very slight thumb handing laminate creases, but most of these are very faint indeed! The top flip over laminated tabs are completely crisp, the only let down at all of this inner gatefold really is the fall-down of almost every copy I’ve ever seen! When manufacturing these sleeves the very bottom edge of the top flip-back tabs were laminate free (for about the bottom 2mm), almost invariably when shut on themselves they stuck to each other on either side, resulting in them being stuck together when they arrived in the shop, on first opening, they slightly took off a bit of the printing from either side, this one has it very slightly, and is more visible on the red side than the purple (please see photos below)

Inner Sleeve Condition: VG+

Original non die-cut company “Patent Applied For        Made In England” text inner. Holds strongly on the seams, very slight age related marks/ discolouration, a few handling folds, no significant wear-through, though the bottom edge near the centre is getting thin!No writing/tears/nick etc. Top opening mouth still fine!

Records Condition:

Visually: A strong VG+ verging on EX-

Just a very few surface hairlines, and perhaps one on either side that could be considered more than a hairline, but even then completely inaudible, and on the surface! Fantastic luster to the sheen of this beautifully fresh slab of vinyl!

Audibly: EX-

I’ve listened through a number of times trying to find things wrong with it!  A tiny groove crackle (could easily have been dust in silence just before, and in the first tones of Mom and Dad. A tiny tick in piano intro of absolutely free, and a couple of (could be static) crackles on the sparse intro and the held outro note of The Chrome Plated Megaphone Of Destiny. To be honest I’m pretty sure all of this is static, it seems to change on each listen! Ja!

Absolutely fantastic copy!

Labels Condition: VG+

Just some light spindle marks are all that adorn these beautiful, nay regal, rich black Verve labels. THIS LP BEING SUCH AN EARLY COPY ACTUALLY HAS THE EMBOSSED KT TAX CODE NEAR THE CENTRAL SPINDLE HOLE OF SIDE 1!!!!  Didn’t know this LP ever had that!

As with a number of the amazingly preserved, seminal albums of the 60s included in this collection, the previous owner devised a sneaky way of identifying his records from other peoples’, he engraved his name, very carefully and neatly in the dead-wax (near where the matrix would be found) on one side of the record, on this record it is written at about 2 o’clock on side 1, in text 4mm high and about 3cm across, in between the run out grooves, taking massive care not to stray close to the playing surface, run-out grooves, matrix/stamper/lacquer info etc,  or label. Please see photos of this, I have tried to catch it in the light, but in truth it is as discreet, if not more so, than the Matrix info!

Matrix/Stamper/Mother/Lacquer Code Info:

Side 1:

V6 5045A  -1

1                    G

Side 1:

V6 5045B  -1

1                    G

 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!

Side 1... lovely!

Same goes for side 2!

Side 1 beautifully clean, notice the KT tax code embossed around the centre hole, only the very first few had this to my knowledge!

Side 1 label angled into the light...still lovely! Matrix visible here too! Also at about 2 o'clock, please note the very careful engraving of the previous owner's name into the deadwax, very neat and clean!

Side 1 mother code "1".

Side 1 Lacquer code "G" (1st)

General beautiful quality of the vinyl!

Close-up of the centre hole and (tax code) of side 1. Really minimal spindle marks.

Side 2, also lovely! Matrix number also visible here.

Side 2 central spindle hole, only a few spindle marks.

Side 2 Mother code "1".

Side 2 Lacquer Code "G" (1st)

The only notable surface mark at all, and really, really light.

The original inner sleeve, great!

The outer of the gatefold sleeve!

Lovely laminate sheen to the outer

Beautiful bottom edge, no real wear at all! Just the non laminated bottom of the widespine, and that never was laminated. 

Lovely opening mouth edges.

Lovely top edge, only the widespine top (which was never laminated) shows any real ageing!

Legible enough for you?! Great spine!

The spine from below.

The lovely inner of the gatefold!

Catching that gorgeous sheen of the laminate of the inner gatefold!

A thumb laminate crease/indent, it's all so good these imperfections take you by surprise!

The couple of other thumb laminate creases, plus note the tiny laminate bubble at the bottom corner.

The lot!

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!