GROUNDHOGS THANK CHRIST FOR THE BOMB A1/B1 1st Press SUPERB AUDIO NM-/MINT-
£
79
$
105
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently. Groundhogs : Thank Christ For The Bomb A1 / B1 1st Press 1970
This first pressing plays to a superb standard with a clarity, depth and power that is outstanding. The only 'background' if you can call it that is a little inner groove distortion on the final track - there are no ticks, clicks or pops anywhere and it has retained its original sonic quality and then some. The vinyl is visually stunning also and clearly has not been played very much. Having played every track in full it classes as a FINAL UPGRADE archive version in my opinion.
The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and original inner is also very clean with no splits. As this is a first pressing the cover is textured and it credits 'Zak Production' and 'Clearwater Conceptions' on the inside.
LBS 83295 // A ∇ 1 1 9 2 / B ∇ 1 1 1 3
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint-)
The textured gatefold is Ex-
The original inner sleeve is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
Visual description
The vinyl is in superb condition with a lovely glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches. Even when I look under a bright light I can only locate a small number of ultra faint hairlines, it is a stunning example. The run out grooves are very clean and the blue Liberty labels have no marking / writing and only very minimal spindle wear.
Play Grading
The run in on S1 has no static etc and then the intro on 'Strange Town' plays perfectly. McPhee's first vocal is just as strong and the instrumental that follows can also be described 'as new'. So far the sonic quality is stunning and it continues to play with outstanding clarity and depth. The guitar work is exemplary and there is no distortion on the top end. The final vocal / instrumental have no intrusion and the fade out has no background either. This is easily a Mint start to the album as it could not play any better.
'Darkness Is No Friend' is of the same high end standard with no interference. The depth of the audio is what really stands out as well as the clarity of course. Every section plays with sublime quality and I am confident in grading this as Mint also. The instrumental work in particular is phenomenal.
The intro on 'Soldier' is flawless as is the opening vocal. It continues in the same precise way and again there is nothing to detract from what is a perfect listen. Bluesy and deep of course and yet there is no 'muddiness' to the sound, the audio is so clean and fresh. The mid instrumental is a prime example of that. The final vocal keep up the good work - at the end of the fade out there are a couple of minor static ticks so I will grade as Mint- accordingly.
The acoustic intro on 'Thank Christ For The Bomb' has not even a single dust tick, the clarity is perfect, and the first vocal is just as good basically with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks. The remainder of this section plays with wonderful clarity and I only noticed 3/4 very quiet background ticks - they do not even remotely compare to a click! As the volume decreases there is no background and the classic instrumental passage that follows is STUNNING! It plays with incredible clarity definition and as the volume builds into the crescendo section the sonic quality is again STUNNING! Christ it plays with such power and depth! McPhee's guitar work then plays to the highest standard possible and despite being the final track on the side there is literally no distortion. The powerful ending is equally as strong and the final quiet finale and 'bomb' play so clearly with only very minimal light static. This truly is a fantastic version and I have to grade it as Mint- I defy anyone to find a better first press version!
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The intro on 'Ship On The Ocean' quite simply plays 'as new' without any background and that includes the brief silent moment. The opening vocal is just as strong and again you can't help but admire the depth and resonance of the audio. It continues to play with imperious quality with no ticks, clicks, pops or static. McPhee's solo that closes this track is so strong and clear and there is no distortion. A Mint start to S2.
'Garden' once more shows just how little this vinyl has been played. The intro and opening vocal are perfect and the first high octane instrumental is awesome!! The next vocal has no intrusion and this quality is kept up to the very end. It's the instrumental sections that impress on so many levels, that's not to say the vocals are in the 'shade' but the rhythm section and McPhee's work is just phenomenal and all the more impressive because they play with a sonic quality that could not be improved in any way. What. A. Version. Mint
The intro on 'Status People' is as close to perfect as could be. There is just one light static sound for a millisecond near the start which is not intrusive. The first vocal section is perfect and it proceeds to play with phenomenal quality. Featuring a strong bass from Cruickshank and wow does it sound good here! So rich and deep and Pustelnik's percussive ending has no interference either. Mint- is fair.
'Rich Man, Poor Man' plays with superb audio from the word go. Every vocal and instrumental passage play with sublime quality - a 'busy' track and yet all the notes are so clean and precise. I don't want to repeat myself but the audio is again so powerful and there is nothing getting in the way of the audio. Mint
The intro on 'Eccentric Man' has no background and the opening vocal is on a par with that. There is perhaps just a minor touch of inner groove distortion during the first chorus but then it is the final track. It continues in a very similar way - no ticks, clicks or pops but with some minor distortion here and there but still a damn good listen. As I often say it seems a little harsh to downgrade it because this distortion is not down to overplay it's due to it being the final track on the side / how it produced. I will however grade as Near Mint- just to be a little cautious.
In summary this genuine first press plays with incredible audio across both sides with no ticks, clicks or pops - the clarity is STUNNING throughout. One mega quiet static sound on 'Status People' and a little distortion on the final track that is all. I cannot emphasise enough just how strong and clear the audio is and it is obvious the previous owner has not overplayed this record. The sheer depth and power of the audio is another stand out feature. I am happy to say this qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE album.
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
The textured cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear. The edges have very little rubbing and the spine remains 100% legible but it a little compressed. It has has only minimal wear on the corners and the right hand corners are in excellent shape also. The opening edge has only a little handling wear. The front cover has one small sticker removal mark near the bottom edge plus another couple of very faint marks and just a little fading near the spine. The back cover is in superb condition with only a couple of very minor marks. The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition with only the bare minimum of fading around the edges i.e. hardly any! A fine example overall.
The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner is in superb condition with no side splits or tears, very little age related fading around the edges and only light creasing.
LBS 83295 // A ∇ 1 1 9 2 / B ∇ 1 1 1 3
Play tested on my Rega P2 with Rega Carbon Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
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Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
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