Queen I (3U/2U - G1 stamper on each side)

This is a very rare piece of Queen rock history, well of music history in general really, in that this vinyl is a genuine first pressing (3U/2U) with the mega rare G1 stamper on each side.  Many think that the 3U/3U matrix is a first press - not true!  Around 300-500 records were pressed with each stamper so theoretically this 3U/2U vinyl could be the first ever Queen LP that came off the 'printing press', aside from test pressings.  Ok it could be the 500th but you understand what I mean!  Either way this is a mega rare vinyl and the fact that it has hardly ever seen a turntable and thus plays with stunning audio makes it even more collectable.

And of course this has 'KIP - HUGGYPOO KISSY' and 'OFF WITH HIS HEAD' etched on the run out grooves.

  EMC 3006 // YAX 4623 - 3U / YAX 4624 - 2U // G1 / G1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / 'Doing All Right' 10 second intro is Ex-)

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The inner is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

  It doesn't get much better than this!  This vinyl has a fabulous glossy sheen and has had 2/3 plays in total I would say.  There are no obvious hairlines and there are certainly no scratches and whilst there a small number of tiny faint 'dots' in a line on 'Keep Yourself Alive' they have affect on the incredible audio whatsoever.  It really is a stunning looking vinyl and even the run out grooves are extremely clean.  There is only one thick type spindle line on S1 and nothing on S2 so I am confident in saying this has been barely played, there isn't the profusion of any spindle wear that you see on a well played vinyl.  I have never seen a better 3U/2U first pressing and this has the mega rare and highly collectable G1 stamper on each side!

Play grading

With barely any lead in static 'Keep Yourself Alive' then plays with what can only be graded as Mint- audio and the minus is only used as the album isn't sealed!  I cannot believe what I am hearing, the depth, power and clarity on every second is of the highest standard possible and it is not an exaggeration to say it plays 'as new'.

'Doing All Right' has some static and 3/4 light clicks on the intro, of which one is a little louder, but it then plays with extremely impressive audio and only a very small number of light dust ticks thereafter.  Considering how quietly most of the track plays the audio is stunning aside from the intro.  The louder guitar sections play with incredible depth and no distortion.  The majority definitely plays with Near Mint quality.

'Great King Rat' is another highlight that is so impressive.  I go on about clarity a lot but that is how any vinyl should be judged.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and the separation of all the instruments is superb and Freddie's vocal is just so clear.  It is incredible to think this is a 3U/2U G1/G1 pressing as again this track plays 'as new' from start to finish.  A couple of ticks literally at the end of the drum roll fade out but that is the only 'background' of any note.  Absolutely stunning!

The final track on S1 'My Fairy King' again plays with fantastic precision and power.  There may be a minor hint of distortion on the top end but perhaps I'm being overly critical as this is generally found on any final track and especially on early/first pressings.  The sound quality is still tremendously impressive and the one quiet 'Mother Mercury...' section plays with sublime clarity.  In actual fact the crescendo end section plays with superb power and definition and only a little crackle on the fade out.

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There is little lead in static on S2 but this doesn't affect the intro on 'Liar' which plays with supreme clarity.  The track then proceeds to play with incredible definition.  There are two mega light static sounds on the first vocal section that most wouldn't even hear ! but aside from that this classic has Near Mint audio without doubt.  The power of this track is evident throughout, especially the stunning end section, and as per the other tracks it is obviously hardly played such is the precision in which it plays.

'The Night Comes Down' has one dust tick on the intro and then is super impressive with breathtaking audio throughout.  How often does this quiet track play with such superb clarity on a recent reissue let along alone a G1/G1 first pressing from 1973?!  I have not heard a 'clearer' version in a long time and this is quite simply audio of the highest calibre.  It can again be graded as Mint- such is the mind-blowing quality on offer here.

'Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll' rocks out from start to finish with immense power and a stunning deep bass sound.  Again there is no interference.  No clicks, pops or crackle etc.

'Son And Daughter' again plays with a deep rich bass sound and the power and clarity here is superb.  No distortion and once again no 'background' of any kind.  Even the extended fade out has no 'background' and you can hear every nuance of every note perfectly.  Yes I know this is becoming repetitive but on such a rare pressing I only feel it is correct to detail every track.

'Jesus' has a minimal hint of static on the intro (and I mean minimal!) and the remainder plays exceptionally well.  As any Queen collector knows this track often displays some distortion but I pleased to report there is barely any here.  It is without doubt one of the best versions I have ever heard, it is nigh on perfect.  The loud instrumental section towards the end plays with such power and depth and like I say, no distortion.  Wow!

'Seven Seas Of Rhye' ends this classic album in fine style with no interference and again no distortion.  Once more there is no 'background' on the extended fade out.

In summary this a final upgrade archive without a shadow of a doubt.  I was astounded to find a G1/G1 first pressing of this classic debut and whilst I immediately could see it was beautifully clean I wasn't expecting it to play with such mind-blowing clarity and definition.  With hardly any interference, just a small amount on the 'Doing All Right' intro, this is audio of a superb standard and I repeat this has a G1/G1 stamper on the first ever 3U/2U pressing, have I mentioned that before!!  The vast majority plays as Mint- and it goes without saying that this would be a fantastic addition to any 'high end' collection.

Cover

The G & L cover has been very well maintained and has only minor shelf wear.  The top edge and thin pinched spine are very clean with no wear and the bottom edge has only a minimal amount of rubbing.  There is very little corner wear which is a rarity on an album of this age.  The front cover is in excellent order with minor ringwear and a couple of very small creases near the opening edge which in itself is in superb shape with hardly any handling wear.  There are also a few tiny creases around the edges but this you always find.  The back cover remains in excellent condition with no marking, just some light ringwear again and some minor creasing top left.  Overall for such a rare pressing (the rarest?) this cover is in excellent example of its kind and not wrecked like so many!

Inner

The die-cut plain white inner has no splits or tears and only some minor creasing.  It has the patent number on one side bottom left with Made In England' opposite.

The labels

They have no marking or writing and only one obvious thick spindle type line on S1 - it may not even be spindle wear!  There is no spindle wear on S2.

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

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

EMC 3006 // YAX 4623 - 3U / YAX 4624 - 2U // G1 / G1

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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