PINK FLOYD ANIMALS A2/B2 1st Press AMAZING COVER & AUDIO FINAL UPGRADE NM/MINT-
£
261
$
346
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Description
Pink Floyd : Animals A2/B2 1st Press
This first pressing plays with unbelievable quality on both sides. I say both sides because S2 is often affected by a fair amount of static/crackle but that is certainly not the case here and the clarity is just so impressive. I would say the best S2 I have ever heard. A detailed grading is given below but I truly believe this is a FINAL UPGRADE first press. In all my years I do not think I have heard a better one. I sold one last month that was 'high end' but this one is even better in my opinion.
The vinyl is visually stunning with only one minor hairline mark on S1. And as for the cover? It is in fantastic condition with no marking and is almost 'as new' it is that good. The lyric inner is super clean with with no bottom edge split!
SHVL 815 // A - 2U / B - 2U // GHT 1 / GTR 2
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint but Mint- for 99%!)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Near Mint & the 'Lord's Prayer' section Ex+ for one brief section)
The gatefold is Near Mint+
The labels are Mint-
The lyric inner is Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no scratches at all. There is just one small obvious hairline mark at the end of S1 but it has no affect on the superb audio whatsoever. Aside from that it has only a handful of barely visible sleeve removal hairlines. The run out grooves are super clean and the labels have no marking and only very minimal spindle wear. A stunning A2/B2 first pressing.
Play grading
As you set the stylus down the run in on S1 is so clean with no 'background' and then the acoustic 'Pigs On The Wing (Part One)' plays with supreme clarity and precision. There is no underlying static, no ticks, clicks or pops and it provides a Mint start to the album.
There is then complete silence in the dead wax and the quiet build up intro on 'Dogs' is close to perfect with only a small number of super quiet dust ticks and as the vocal comes in the audio is just that - perfect. The first verse is faultless and the second not far off that with only one barely audible tick at the end of the first line. Gilmour's first solo is 'as new' and the same can be said for the third verse. So far this is rather good! The clarity has been of the highest quality and it continues to play to a standard that you only get from a beautifully preserved vinyl. There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and even the quieter acoustic section about five minutes in has no 'background' which is then followed by another Gilmour solo that is near perfect apart from one light click. Quite surprised it was there! Normal service is resumed is when the fourth and fifth verses play with STUNNING clarity and no interference whatsoever. The long instrumental section is again STUNNING with a clarity that is just outstanding! There is not even one single dust tick and this really is audio of the highest calibre! The final verse is just as good and Gilmour's final solo just has a couple of dust ticks that is all. As any Floyd collector will know the end section is always affected by inner groove distortion and I do mean always! However, this is very probably the finest finale I have ever heard as there is barely any inner groove distortion. I know I said it's 'always' there but in all honesty I'm not sure there is any distortion here, the playback is just so clean. What a finish. I know there is one light click but I will grade as Mint- as the remainder of this classic is just out of this world! The minus is there for that one click :-)
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As many collectors will know you can have a superb S1 but S2 often plays with a fair amount of static and crackle. Maybe it's something to do with the recording/manufacturing process. However, this S2 plays with STUNNING clarity and depth from the outset. The long intro on 'Pigs (Three Different Ones)' has only a small number of mega light dust ticks and the playback is so impressive with no interference at all. The opening two verses play with incredible precision and the instrumental section that follows is just mind-blowing! A couple of dust ticks at most, the clarity is superb. Just a touch of mega light static towards the end but so quiet and totally non-intrusive. The final verse has no 'background', just a couple of dust ticks, and to the end it plays with sublime quality. Gilmour's closing solo is so powerful and has no distortion and even the long fade out has not one dust tick. I would go so far as to say this is the finest example of this track that I have ever heard, I certainly cannot remember a better one! Mint- is very much deserved.
The segue into 'Sheep' is so clean and the intro has only the lightest of static in one brief section. I only mention this to be 'complete' in my grading - it is very quiet and of course there are no clicks or pops. Shut your eyes and you imagine yourself stood in the centre of a field it is that good! The first two verses are 'as new' with no interference and the following instrumental section keeps up this exemplary standard. The section where the volume ramps up is stunning! The 'Lord's Prayer' passage has only static but again plays so well with a clarity you don't often find. The final vocal is superb and Gilmour's closing section reaches levels of power and depth you do not find on the first A2/B2 pressings. I cannot emphasise enough how strong the playback is and the sheep/birdsong fade out could not play with any greater precision, there is no static at all. The vast majority of this classic is Mint with only the intro grading as Near Mint and the 'Lord's Prayer' Ex+ in one short section. A breathtaking version for sure.
'Pigs On The Wing (Part 2)' closes the album with STUNNING clarity from the first note to the last. It's rare for the final grooves on any vinyl to play so clearly let alone one of this age and on such a quiet acoustic track. It is Mint with a capital M! An immaculate finish.
In summary I can confidently say that this first pressing is without question the finest I have had the pleasure in listening to in many a year. The vast majority is Mint no exaggeration and this clarity of sound is just so rarely found on an A2/B2 first press. There are two main reasons for this in my opinion. One, the record has only been lightly played and preserved so well down the years and two, it is on a slightly later pressing 'run' as shown by the three stampers. Perhaps at this later stage they had 'ironed' out the sound issues that often affect S2? I'm not an expert on vinyl production but the sonic quality here is so impressive and with just one minor click on S1 and the bare minimum of light static on S2 there is so much to admire here! Together with a stunning cover and lyric inner this is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in my opinion. I truly believe it would be nigh on impossible to find a better one.
The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve
At first glance you would think this cover was brand new! It is only on closer inspection that you can see a small number of 'specks' on the top edges although the bottom edges are more or less perfect. The wide spine is perfect and all corners have hardly any wear. The opening edge is 100% pristine and the front and back cover are also in beautiful condition with no marking etc. The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no fading and the cover is also very strong and robust which shows how infrequently it has been handled. It's rare for an unlaminated cover from the '77 to be as stunning as this. A fantastic example.
The original lyric inner is practically 'shop fresh' and has again been so well preserved. There are no side splits or tears, no creasing or marking and the only thing I can see is one tiny white rub on the bottom edge. This inner is hardly ever found without a bottom edge split and this inner is a stunner for sure!
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
SHVL 815 // A - 2U / B - 2U // GHT 1 / GTR 2
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
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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.
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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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