Pink Floyd : A Saucerful Of Secrets 1/1 4th Stereo Pressing (Two EMI box)

This early pressing is known as the 4th stereo press and was produced around 1971.  It has the black/silver Columbia label with the two EMI boxes on each and 'Made in Gt Britain' at the foot of the label also.  This edition also has the incorrect numbering of the tracks on the S2 label, 1,2 & 4 and the incorrect spelling of 'Gilmore' on the label and cover.

This is visually stunning and easily the most impressive early pressing I have ever seen or heard.  There is no spindle wear and I would not be surprised if this has never been played before.  The clarity and depth of the audio is outstanding and there is no interference on either side.

The cover and original inner are also in superb order.

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SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 2 // AM 2 / L 1 

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Near Mint-

The original inner is Ex

The labels are Mint

Visual grading

Visually this record is absolutely stunning!  It is so clean vinyl and retains an incredible glossy sheen the likes of which are so rarely seen today.  It appears to be 'as new' basically!  There is no spindle wear, no marks or scratches and I cannot detect any hairlines either.  It may not be a first pressing but it is still a very early one and you won't find one that looks 'as new' as this.  The run out grooves and labels are also in beautiful condition.

Play grading  

The lead in grooves on this vinyl are super clean and have no 'background' and then the instrumental opening on 'Let There Be More More Light' could not play with any greater clarity, it is 'as new'.  The first vocal section is faultless and it continues to play with stunning audio quality to the very end.  The 'busy' end section has no distortion and this easily grades as Mint- as there is no interference at all. 

The quiet intro on 'Remember A Day' plays perfectly and progresses in much the same way.  The quieter passages are so 'clean' and there are no clicks or pops - the only 'background' is a couple of light static ticks early on but aside from that the clarity is exceptional with no underlying static or crackle.  This is Near Mint in my opinion.

'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' always provides a stern test for any vinyl let alone on such an early pressing.  I am delighted to say the playback is stunning!  From the very start it plays beautifully and you can switch the lights off, sit back and just wallow in this 60s nostalgia!  This really is a very impressive version and has only one very light click and the bare minimum of mega light static in the middle section.  This static is hardly noticeable and perhaps not even worth a mention and the remainder is without fault.  It would be difficult to find a 'cleaner' version and Near Mint is an honest assessment of the audio although the vast majority is better than that!

'Corporal Clegg' ends the side with no interference and only the usual inner groove distortion.  It still plays extremely well and should not be marked down because of this distortion.  It is how it was 'recorded' and produced and cannot be avoided.  I don't want to exaggerate this as the playback remains very strong and as I say there is no other 'background'.  Near Mint

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The intro on 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' defies the age of this album!  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no obvious static either.  The playback is stunning and there are only a small number of barely audible dust ticks.  It continues to play with superb clarity with barely any static and just the one light tick.  As the volume builds to a high level the audio is 'as new' with no distortion and the percussive section then also plays as per an unplayed vinyl!  All good so far, this is superb!  There is just a minor touch of mega light static as this section closes but it is totally non-intrusive and the opening refrains of the organ 'recital' plays with perfect precision.  I cannot overstate how well it plays here - you can can hear each note so clearly and there is no 'background' of any kind.  Following this is the stand alone organ solo and the clarity and depth of the audio here is stunning!  With only a handful of barely audible dust ticks the audio is sublime and when you consider this 4th press was released in '71 you cannot help but be amazed by the 'completeness' of the sound.  The choral section shows this vinyl has hardly ever been played and maybe not at all!  It is 100% stunning and brings this instrumental classic to a Mint close.  Yes I am known for my superlatives but this is without doubt one of the finest versions I have ever had the pleasure in listening to and with so many quiet sections it is so rare to find one playing so 'cleanly'.  I am confident in grading it as Mint- there is nothing to fault.

With complete silence in the dead wax 'See-Saw' plays with wonderful clarity and definition and again there are no negatives.  Not one single click or pop, no intrusion on the audio at all.   The perfect fade out gives another idea of the clarity on offer here.  Mint-

'Jugband Blues' has super 'clean' intro and continues to play with exemplary sound quality.  There is no interference and no obvious distortion either which is a rarity.  The vocals 'play' with great precision and the instrumental section near the end cannot be faulted.  The acoustic/vocal end section has no 'background' and provides an emotional end to Barrett's final outing on a Floyd album.  I say emotional because when the playback is as Mint as this it just means you can hear the audio in all its glory and just how it was meant to sound.  It makes you realise just what he was to the band and the legacy he left.  This final track is Mint- overall, a fantastic finish to the album.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE early pressing plays to a 'high end' standard as detailed above.  The clarity and sonic quality is so impressive and as mentioned this may never have been played prior to my play testing.  The vinyl is visually stunning and there is no obvious interference whatsoever.  There are no loud clicks or pops and the cover and inner are also in lovely condition.

The Cover

The cover is quite simply in superb condition with very little shelf wear.  The edges have only a handful of tiny 'rubs' and the spine is near perfect apart from a couple of minor crease lines.  All four corners are in sublime condition with no obvious rubbing and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The laminated front cover has no splits or marking and has only one minor barely noticeable crease in the left corner.  The back cover is equally as good with only that minor crease bottom right.  A fantastic example overall and has been preserved so well.

The Inner

The original EMI inner with 12 LP covers on each side is in excellent condition with no marking and only one very small split on the bottom edge.

The Labels

They are 'as new' with no marking or writing and no spindle wear.  Absolutely stunning!

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

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

SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 2 // AM 2 / L 1 

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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