Queen : A Night At The Opera 3/2 2nd Press

This may not be a genuine first press but it is not far from it!  I am happy to denote this as a second pressing and it plays with a clarity and depth that is phenomenal!  There is no interference aside from a minimal amount of light static at the end of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' and even then that is hardly interference!  S1 is Mint in every way and S2 is not far behind.  The sonic quality is of the highest quality and there is no static or crackle to be heard.

As per the first and early pressings it has Blair's etched into the run out grooves as opposed to Mr Blair's Cut.

The gatefold is in fantastic condition and rarely seen as 'clean' as this.  The original inner has only one very small split on the bottom edge but is otherwise in perfect condition.

EMTC 103 3601 // YAX 5063 - 3 / YAX 5064 - 2 // RGH 2 / RMM 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) ('Bo Rhap' quiet end section Ex+)

The gatefold is Near Mint

The picture inner is Ex++

The labels are Mint-

Now this is one immaculate vinyl!  It has a jet-black glossy sheen and has no marks or scratches.  You have to look very closely under a strong light to find that it is not a 'new' record!  S1 has only 3/4 very faint hairlines and S2 only a couple but yes this is as close to visual perfection that you will find.  There is hardly any spindle wear and has been so well looked after down the years.  The run out grooves and labels are in fantastic condition also.

Play grading

The run in grooves on S1 have no interference and then the piano intro on 'Death On Two Legs' plays with stunning precision i.e. no 'background' at all.  It continues to play with sublime quality as the 'music' builds and this entire intro can be graded as Mint it is that good.  As the vocal comes in the clarity is still there and thereafter plays with immense power and vitriol!  This truly is a sensational start to the album and from start to finish it grades as Mint.  I often find it is difficult to relay the true audio experience in terms of clarity and depth - this basically sounds as 'clean' as it did when first released in '75 I can pay it no higher compliment.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound, you can hear each note with perfect precision, and there is NO interference at all.

'Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon' has 'crystal clear' audio with no 'background' and also grades as Mint as it quite simply could not play any better.

This is one beautifully preserved vinyl!  'I'm In Love With My Car' plays with a clarity and power that is second to none.  I do not want to repeat myself but this is MINT in every single way.  This underrated classic is phenomenal with nothing to fault and you could not wish to hear a stronger more definitive version.  Wow!

'You're My Best Friend' has a couple of barely audible dust ticks on the intro and then plays to same 'high end' standard.  This is audio of the highest quality and I am already running out of superlatives!  The super clean fade out gives you idea of the clarity on offer here.  Mint again.

With complete silence in the dead wax the acoustic intro on '39' has no 'background' and continues to play with a clarity that is out of this world!  From beginning to end there is not so much as a dust tick.  This vinyl in essence is playing as per a high quality un-played vinyl would!  You know the grade of this one...:-)

'Sweet Lady' plays with great definition and power from the opening groove to the last with no interference in between.  There is no distortion which is rare for this high octane number'.  Again the quality cannot be underestimated and the heavy section at the end is just so strong and has such incredible depth.  Mint plus another immaculate fade out. 

'Seaside Rendezvous' always has some inner groove distortion and it is just a matter of how much.  I am pleased to say it kept to a minimum here and plays with great clarity.  It is certainly one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard in a long time and has no clicks or pops and no static or crackle.  It qualifies as Mint- and provides a superb end to the side.  This is without doubt the finest S1 I have heard in many a year!

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The very quiet 'wind' intro on 'The Prophet's Song' has only a minimal amount of light static at the start and soon disappears. As soon as the acoustic guitar comes in the clarity is superb and this applies to the first vocal also.  The opening verses play perfectly with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks - the audio is so strong and deep and there is no distortion at all during the 'heavier' sections.  The 'acapella' section is absolutely breathtaking!  The sonic quality is so impressive and, I repeat, it is obvious this record has hardly ever been played.  The guitar instrumental section that follows is so 'clean' with a definition that is hard to describe.  Wow about sums it up!  The closing verses are of the same standard and even the quiet acoustic ending plays with wonderful clarity - just the one light tick but no underlying static which makes a change.  This is easily one of the finest examples of this 'prog' classic that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to and Mint- is an honest assessment of the audio on offer here.

The segue into 'Love Of My Life' is as perfect as could be and the piano section also plays beautifully with no 'background'.  This standard is maintained once the vocal comes and from that point on plays with sublime clarity.  There are no clicks or pops and with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks the likes of which you find one new vinyl let alone one that is 45 years old!  This classic plays with such precision and Mint- is more than deserved, I am sure many would grade as Mint!  There are a couple of static ticks at the end of the fade out but hey the music has finished by then!

'Good Company' more than matches the quality of the preceding audio and plays to a Mint- standard from start to finish.  The only thing that keeps it from being Mint are a couple of very light ticks but they are not intrusive in any way and do not classify as interference.  A stunning version for sure.

The opening verse on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' plays beautifully with only a couple of dust ticks and as John's bass comes in the clarity is equally as good.  The second verse is 'as new' with no 'background' and from then on the audio just gets better and better!  The third verse is faultless, as is the iconic guitar solo and the 'operatic' section then has a clarity and sonic quality that you rarely hear on such an early pressing.  There is one very light tick (not a click!) but the remainder is outstanding to say the very least.  The 'rock' section then plays with sublime definition and again I am shaking my head in disbelief at the quality on offer here!  It has no interference or distortion and is Mint in every way.  The closing section has only a minor amount of light static but still grades as Ex+ and the music still plays very clearly.  A true classic that is so close to being perfect and other than the ending I would say the remainder is Mint it is STUNNING!  A superb 'tear to the eye' version :-)  

'God Save The Queen' ends the album with Mint audio as there is no interference of any kind.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE early pressing plays to an incredible standard with not one single click or pop and barely any static.  Perhaps a few seconds of static only which is so light as to be insignificant.  I may say this perhaps a little too frequently but this is one of the finest versions of this classic LP that I have ever heard and that is not a selling technique that is just my honest truth!  I half suspected it would play well when I saw how clean the cover was!  A naive presumption perhaps but when I saw then saw how clean the vinyl was I was proved to be correct!  The clarity and definition throughout is breathtaking and I defy anyone not to be impressed by this beautiful record!

The Gatefold

So difficult to find in Ex+/Nm condition this is without doubt one of finest you will see!  This G & L embossed cover has been very well cared for over the years and has no obvious marking at all, the 'white' background is still so white!  The edges are pristine with no shelf wear and the spine similarly has no wear - how rare is that!  The corners are also in amazing condition as is the opening edge which has no handling wear.  The front cover is brilliant white and the back cover is almost as good with only a couple of mega faint marks.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate, 'as new' in fact.  A stunning early press cover for certain.

The Picture Inner

The original inner with the three cut corners provides is very close to being perfect.  It has no creasing or marking and just the one very small split on the bottom edge.

The Labels

They are in superb condition with no marking or writing and barely any spindle wear.

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

EMTC 103 3601 // YAX 5063 - 3 / YAX 5064 - 2 // RGH 2 / RMM 4

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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