Gentle Giant : Three Friends (Vertigo Swirl Label 1Y/2Y)

This prog classic is in superb condition and plays with an immaculate quality that is so rarely heard today.  A comprehensive grading is given below but one word Mint sums it up really!  It is stunning!

This should perhaps be described as a second pressing as it has 'Made In England' on the label but regardless of that there cannot be a more impressive Vertigo Swirl pressing out there.  The clarity and depth of the audio is stunning.

The cover is also in excellent condition and remains strong and robust with only minor shelf wear.  It comes complete with the original Swirl inner also.

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6360070 2Y // 2 ? 420 1 1  9

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex (Ex+ but for the small sticker removal mark)

The labels are Near Mint

The swirl inner is Ex

Visual grading

This is one stunning vinyl!  Quite honestly it looks 'as new' it is in supreme condition and has obviously been incredibly well looked after down the years.  It has a beautiful mirror-like glossy sheen and I had to look extremely hard to find even the faintest of light hairlines.  I repeat you would be forgiven for thinking this was a new vinyl!  The run out grooves are in sublime condition and there is only minimal spindle wear.  This is a vinyl that has only been infrequently played.

Play grading  

The audio on this album plays to a wonderful standard and nowhere is this more evident than on the opening track 'Prologue'.  I never exaggerate my gradings but this sounds as if it was pressed yesterday!  There is just no interference of any kind, the clarity and warmth of the audio is exceptional.  I honestly cannot over-emphasise the sheer audio perfection here!  There is not even a dust tick during the quieter sections let alone anything more.  I know Mint audio when I hear it but so as to adhere to RC guidelines Mint- will have to suffice.  The fade out also plays with 100% precision, what a stunning start!

I am delighted to say 'Schooldays' is of the same immaculate standard and there are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  Again the many quiet sections are just sublime - there is no 'background' whatsoever.  It is so incredibly rare for a vinyl of this age to play with such definition and clarity.

'Working All Day' ends the side with, you guessed it, Mint- audio of the highest order.  No interference and no inner groove distortion towards the end.  One thing that stands out with S1 is the depth of the audio and strong bass.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and this only results from a record that has beautifully well preserved down the years.

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As per S1 the opening few grooves on 'Peel The Paint' have no static etc which is such a rarity for any record and especially one from 1972!  It plays 'as new' from start to finish and again that is no exaggeration.  I just cannot believe what I am hearing!  From the quiet opening section with its sweeping strings to the powerful guitar and vocals of the second section there is no interference at all and no distortion either.  And I mean no interference, not one tick or click.  This is pure Mint- audio.  The guitar solos are so strong and clear and the depth and clarity I reiterate is of a vinyl pressed only yesterday!

With complete silence in the dead wax 'Mister Class And Quality?' does not disappoint either.  There are a couple of mega quiet dust ticks on the intro, so quiet you could easily miss them!  From that point on it plays to the same 'high end' standard with no 'background' at all.  Super impressive depth and warmth yet again.

'Three Friends' ends this stunning album with a superlative quality.  This soaring track hints at early Genesis and rarely has no inner groove distortion on the top end and no 'background' on the extended fade out.  You could not wish for better audio on this closing track.  Another Mint- grade is easily deserved.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE album may well be the 'cleanest' I have ever heard on a rare VERTIGO pressing from the early 70s or any album from this era if I'm honest!  The clarity and definition of the audio could not be any more impressive.  There is excellent clarity and then there is the CLARITY that is on offer here!  It is difficult not to repeat myself but the warmth, depth and power of the audio could not be surpassed.  It may not be that rare for a vinyl of this age to have no clicks or pops but the total lack of static or crackle has to be a rarity.  I listen to every second of every LP that I sell and I can categorically say this would add to any MINT collection.

The Cover

The gatefold is in great condition overall with only one obvious area of wear.  This can be seen top left on the front cover where there is a small sticker removal mark.  Aside from that it is super clean with hardly any edge wear and only a small number of tiny rubs on the wide spine.  The corners are in great shape with very little rubbing and the opening edge has barely any handling wear also.  The front and back covers are incredibly clean apart from the small amount of wear already mentioned - just a little ringwear on the back maybe.  The inside of the gatefold could not be any more impressive.

Inner Sleeve

The original swirl inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and very little creasing.  There is just one small tear on the central 'window' and the catalogue number is written on one side.

The Labels

The famous Vertigo labels are in sublime condition with no marking/writing and only a little spindle wear.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

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I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

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