The Dark Side Of The Moon A3/B3 (Complete)

As well as selling a superb A2/B2 solid blue first pressing I am also selling a stunning complete A3/B3 press.

It plays with immaculate quality and comes complete with a very impressive 'midnight blue' gatefold and posters/stickers that are in wonderful condition.

SHVL 804 // A - 3 / B - 3 // RTR 2 / OT 1

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 1 intro Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The posters are Near Mint and the stickers Near Mint-

Visual grading

First things first this is an absolutely stunning record!  It has been beautifully preserved and has only been played once or twice in my opinion and also hardly ever removed from its sleeve.  The visual look is immaculate and I can only detect one barely visible spindle line on the S2 label.  I inspect all my vinyls very closely and I had to look very hard to find any hairlines and all I could see was a couple of mega faint hairlines on S1.  The run out grooves are also extremely clean.  This is a rare find and it basically looks 'as new' and as detailed below the audio also plays to an immaculate standard.

Play grading  

The heartbeat intro on 'Speak To Me' has only very light static for the first few seconds and then plays with remarkable clarity.  There is hardly any 'background' on the remainder and this is one of most impressive starts I have heard on such an early press for quite some time.

'Breathe' then plays with audio that can only be graded as Mint- the clarity and depth is astounding.  As per my earlier comment re the spindle wear this vinyl has been hardly played of that I have no doubt.

The link into 'On The Run' is breathtaking and again there is no interference at all.  This is audio of the highest standard and this is a stunning version of this instrumental is stunning.  As I often say regarding this track the sonic quality here is tangible and the separation (on a clean pressing such as this) of the instruments is incredible.  There is a minimal amount of light static on the 'running man' section but it is not intrusive and still plays with exceptionally clear audio.

The intro on 'Time' is so clear and the clocks chime perfectly with no distortion.  It then plays with incredible clarity and depth and the section leading to the first verse has only a tiny amount of barely audible static in the background from time to time...if you excuse the pun!  Thereafter the audio is stunning and the guitar solo is so strong with no distortion.  This quality prevails to the end and again I am happy to grade this classic as Mint- the quality is that good.

'Breathe Reprise' continues in the same style and displays faultless audio with no 'background' of any kind.

The mega quiet intro on 'The Great Gig In The Sky' has to be heard to be believed - not even one solitary dust tick!  Wow!! This really is audio of the highest calibre the likes of which I have rarely heard on an A3/B3 press.  As the 'vocal' builds the depth and volume of the sound is all encompassing and plays 'as new' with no interference or distortion.  The closing end section that of course plays so quietly is another highlight and is the 'cleanest' I have heard in many a year.  It is fantastic with no 'background' and not even a mega light dust tick.  Mint audio again and even the fade out is 100% perfect.

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From the very first note 'Money' displays audio of an impeccable standard.  As I so often say the depth of the bass here is sublime and the entire track impresses with 'high end' clarity and power.  The instrumental section is 'as new' and the saxophone section and guitars solos play with no distortion.  The quiet end section has no 'background' at all.

The intro on 'Us And Them' has only a minimal amount of very light static but it is so much in the background and non-intrusive.  It is so quiet it is barely worth mentioning really but as I always say I like to be 100% honest in my grading.  Even new vinyl can have more 'background' than this! The intro still plays very clearly and with wonderful precision.  No clicks or pops anywhere!  The vocals are so clear throughout the track and the louder chorus sections play superbly with no muddiness to the sound.  Again the sonic quality here is obvious and you just cannot beat these early pressings for sheer quality of sound.  Without doubt one of the most impressive versions I have ever heard.

The seque into 'Any Colour You Like' plays perfectly as does the remainder of this instrumental.  There is no interference and again it sounds as clear as the day when it was first released 45 years ago.

  'Brain Damage' has a handful of mega quiet dust ticks on the intro and then plays with, you guessed it, stunning depth and sonic quality to the end.  An absolutely mind-blowing version of this classic if I'm honest!

'Eclipse' brings this classic album to a close with breathtaking power and range.  As any Floyd fan knows this track often has some distortion on the top end but I am pleased to say there is very little here and it plays superbly.  What is also a rarity is that the mega quiet 'heartbeat' ending has next to no 'background', just a couple of dust ticks, and once again provides further proof that this vinyl has been hardly played and also very carefully preserved.  A fantastic finale to a Mint- album.

In summary this is without doubt the 'cleanest' and most impressive A3/B3 pressings I have ever heard.  There is not one single click or pop and there is certainly no crackle.  With only the slightest hint of barely audible static this is a final upgrade archive pressing for certain.  The audio is so 'fresh' and has that unplayed type sound to it, the clarity and warmth throughout is absolutely astounding.  The lovely 'midnight blue' cover also makes it even more collectable, a stunning package overall.

The Gatefold

The rarer 'midnight blue' G&L gatefold (with sticker) is in excellent condition with only very minor shelf wear.  The edges have a very small amount of rubbing and the corners have only a small amount of wear, nothing excessive.  The spine has only a couple of small rub marks.  The front cover is very clean with no marking as such just some fading here and there which is very common on this cover.  The back cover has some ringwear, a little fading and a small scratch line near the spine but is certainly cleaner than many you see.  The opening edge is in superb condition with no obvious handling wear at all.  The inside of the gatefold is in fantastic condition with no wear.  A high quality example overall of this iconic cover.

Inner sleeve

The white inner 'Care Of Your Record' sleeve has no splits or marking and only a little creasing.

The Labels

They look almost 'as new' and have no writing or marking and as stated only one tiny barely visible spindle trace.  Visually stunning!  Super clean examples and 'as new' run out grooves also.

The Posters & Stickers

The glossy posters are incredibly clean with no splits or tears and there is no staining or marking either.  The 'CrackBack / FasPrint' stickers are also in great condition with just one faint crease on each.

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 804 // A - 3 / B - 3 // RTR 2 / OT 1

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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!