Metallica LOAD 2x LP 1996 OG 1st US Vinyl Press PLAY TESTED EXCELLENT Elektra

$

145

Metallica - Load Double Vinyl LP - Original 1996 First US Pressing on Elektra Records

I did a full album, complete PLAY TEST on a high end Technics SL-1200MK7 turntable.  All turntables/needles (stylus) may sound/play differently but this should give you the most accurate idea of the audio quality.

The album plays all the way through with no skips on all 4 sides.  The audio quality is excellent on all sides.  

Disc 1 - Both sides of vinyl are clean with only minimal surface marks and a couple of very light hairlines.  There are no deep scratches or significant signs of wear and nothing that affects playback.  The audio quality is excellent on both sides.  The labels are clean and in excellent condition as well.  The original color inner sleeve/insert is clean with some light ring wear in a couple of spots from many years of storage.  There are two small seam splits on the inner sleeve; one on the bottom and one on one of the sides.  Not major.  The record will be shipped in a new white generic inner sleeve to prevent any damage to the original inner sleeve.

Disc 2 - Both sides of the vinyl are clean with minimal surface marks and a few very light hairlines.  There are no deep scratches on either side, no significant signs of wear and nothing that affects audio quality.  The audio quality is excellent on both sides.  The labels are very clean and in excellent condition on both sides.  The original inner sleeve has a very small seam split on the bottom seam.  There are light signs of ring wear.  There are a few creases in one of the top corners.  Otherwise the insert looks great.  he record will be shipped in a new white generic inner sleeve to prevent any damage to the original inner sleeve.

FIRST PRESSING IDENTIFIERS - VINYL ETCHINGS

• Matrix / Runout (Side A): STE-61923-A1 STERLING [SRC logo]
• Matrix / Runout (Side B): STE-61923-B1 [SRC logo] STERLING
• Matrix / Runout (Side C): STE-61923-C1 [SRC logo] STERLING
• Matrix / Runout (Side D): STE-61923-D1 STERLING [SRC logo]

The jacket has some very light signs of the onset of ring wear in a couple of spots.  Not major and really mostly visible when you tilt it in the light.  The front of the jacket has some creases in the top left corner, a lomg scratch that can only be seen when you tilt it under a light and the light hits it just right. There is some light wear to the corners, not major though.  The back of the jacket has some creases along the seams.  I have taken close up photos of the issues I have noted.  Check out the video to get a pretty good idea of the condition of the jacket.  Overall, it is probably a strong VG.  

Check out my other items.  I have many rare or original first issue 90's and 2000's records for sale. 

*Most sellers either give a very general visual grading or a vague description.  I do my best to be as thorough as possible and describe things in great detail.  I am extremely picky and I realize sometimes this makes things sound worse than they actually are, but I believe that a buyer should not be disappointed when they receive a used album.  They should have an appropriate expectation and deserve as much detail as possible before making a decision.  Please contact me with and questions that you may have prior to purchase.*