Rare, Mike Oldfield TUBULAR BELLS Vinyl LP Pre-EMI First Pressing, There are barely visible hand scratched matrix numbers etched Matrix numbers in the run out Dead Wax, only one visible just scratched in matrix number on side 2 which reads V-2001-B matrix number on side 1V-2001-A needs a jewellers loop or similar to read then it is difficult. V-2001-B V-2001-A No matrix number at all on side 1 Printed by Robor Limited. (Cover) Pinched Spine Top and Bottom Real 1st Pressing Pre EMI many ebay listed as 1st Pressings are later. There are no pressings pre dating this one. 1/9 or 6/1 is scratched on matrix on side 1 as is possibly the number 11 horizontal to the lead out track. But in all honesty who knows I was having a hard time reading these even under microscope conditions. Mega Rare Find Be Sure to Read Description Fully

Mega Rare Find Be Sure to Read Description Fully

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Description

Rare, Mike Oldfield TUBULAR BELLS Vinyl LP Pre-EMI First Pressing, There are barely visible hand scratched matrix numbers etched Matrix numbers in the run out Dead Wax, only one visible just scratched in matrix number on side 2 which reads V-2001-B matrix number on side 1V-2001-A needs a jewellers loop or similar to read then it is difficult.


V-2001-B V-2001-A
No matrix number at all on side 1
Printed by Robor Limited. (Cover)
Pinched Spine Top and Bottom
Real 1st Pressing Pre EMI many ebay listed as 1st Pressings are later. There are no pressings pre dating this one.

1/9 or 6/1 is scratched on matrix on side 1 as is possibly the number 11 horizontal to the lead out track. But in all honesty who knows I was having a hard time reading these even under microscope conditions.

The cover further confirms this as a pre-EMI genuine first pressing as it is marked bottom right as Printed by Robor Limited. IT also has piched corners

Vinyl is in my opinion hard to fathom it doesn't look too bad but its got years of residue on it and it is going to need a professional clean I'm reluctant to do this in case this is a very rare thing. I reckon it's seen one too many bong parties.

What does it sound like. Well there is a back story I have read that Virgin tried to recall the real first press because they weren't happy with the quality, However I have a theory about it, I think it is because it is an insanely hot master and I am pretty sure some of the distortion I am hearing is because the record can't be played perfectly on anything, I have played it on my Linn LP 12 and on My Technics and Neither will play distortion free on the last half of Part 1 I can't be certain but it doesn't sound like stylus damage. Having said that if you can listen through the distortion which is actually quite funky this is an amazing musical experience. Now I get why Tubular Bells was such a massive phenomenon. I listened to the CD version to see if I could compare the distorted parts and I think I get it. The CD is massively disappointing it is insipid not even decent elevator music the mix is so diluted. This real 1st issue VInyl is a total revelation faults and foibles apart. I will be doing a 24 BIT cap on this before I let it go. I own other copies of tubular bells so I'm covered legally Phew.

Cover is Ex+ to EX

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