QUEEN II (10/4U)

This classic album is a final upgrade for sure and may well be the 'cleanest' early pressing I have ever played.  There is no interference as such, not one click and the clarity could not be any better.

There are only a couple of mega tiny spindle traces on each label and it is obvious that it has hardly ever been played.  It is a stunning looking early press!  The gatefold is also in lovely condition as is the lyric inner which is incredibly clean and has no splits!

EMA 767 // YAX 4735 - 10 / YAX 4735 (crossed) 4736 - 4U // 1 0  1 / RDH 1

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 1 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 1 intro Near Mint-)

The laminated cover is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Near Mint

The EMI labels are Mint-

 Visual grading

  This vinyl is visually stunning lovely looking vinyl and it retains a beautiful mirror-like glossy sheen.  I can only detect a couple of ultra faint hairlines but they are incredibly difficult to find!  It looks practically 'as new' it is a FINAL UPGRADE archive vinyl for certain.  There are no scratches and only a couple of tiny 'specks' on S2 that have no affect on the superb audio.  With hardly any spindle wear the record has only been lightly played and the clarity and definition of the audio confirms that.  The labels and run out grooves are also in immaculate condition.  Very rarely have I seen a Queen II as superb as this!

Play grading

This version of 'Procession' is one of finest I have heard in a long time.  So often it is badly affected by interference but that is certainly not the case here and it plays with superb clarity throughout.  There is no 'background' on the intro - it is stunning!  There is then one light tick and the rest of this instrumental plays with perfect precision.  A fantastic Near Mint start in anyone's opinion.

The segue into 'Father To Son' is faultless and the intro is 'as new' with no interference whatsoever.  It then continues to play with 'high end' audio, the depth and power is so impressive!  There is no distortion and rarely have I heard this track play with such breathtaking precision.  The progressive 'rock' section is absolutely stunning, there is no distortion and is 'as new' no exaggeration.  The quiet section that follows has no 'background' not even a dust tick, a rarity indeed, and the remainder plays with 'high end' end clarity also.  This is without doubt the strongest version of this classic that I have heard in many a year and a Mint- grading is deserving.

The quiet intro on 'White Queen' has to be heard to be believed!  From the instrumental opening to the end of the first verse I heard only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and as any Queen collector knows this intro regularly plays with some interference.  Not here!  From then on the clarity is of the highest standard and there is nothing that intrudes on the quality of the listen.  The instrumental section is 100% Mint and the final two verses also play with perfect quality.  I cannot emphasise enough how well this plays, it is immaculate!  Again it is so rare for this quiet final verse to play with such immaculate quality.  This is as 'complete' a version that you are ever likely to hear and will impress any die-hard collector and again is worthy of a Mint- grading.  I'm not sure I've ever given that grading to this track!

'Some Day One Day' keeps up the standard and plays with superb clarity and depth from start to finish.  There is no interference of any kind and is 'shop fresh'.  Thus far it is obvious that this vinyl has hardly ever been played and that is confirmed by the 'as new' sonic quality and the clarity just could not be any better.

'Loser In The End' is another prime example of that.  As any audiophile knows with a vinyl that has perhaps only been played once or twice the clarity and depth of the recording is further enhanced.  This track is just Mint there is no other way to describe it.  The power and clarity could not be any better.  No 'background' not even on the long fade out and no distortion!

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'Ogre Battle' has only minimal static on the long build up - it is quiet and totally non-intrusive.  The 'rock out' intro section then plays 'as new' and the same applies to the rest of the track.  There is no 'background' and the power, depth and precision of the audio could not be any better.  The strength of the bass is so prevalent on these early pressings and again there is no distortion either.  Aside from the mega quiet static on the intro this is another Mint track.  I'm running out of superlatives in which to describe the audio here!

The segue into 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' is perfect and again the entire song is without fault.  There are no clicks or pops, no static or crackle not even a dust tick!  Mint from start to finish.

'Nevermore' is often susceptible to interference being such a quiet track so I am pleased to report I heard only a couple of very light static sounds.  There are no clicks etc and again the clarity is so impressive.  No annoying static/crackle in the background.  Superb!

The quiet piano intro on 'The March Of The Black Queen' is stunning and has no interference at all.  As you progress into the track you are just blown away by the sheer depth and power on offer.  Wow!  It is 'as new' the clarity could not be any more impressive and the loud instrumental section is just mind-blowing!  The quiet verse that follows plays with beautiful audio and with not even a single dust tick - I cannot believe what I am hearing here!  From start to finish this is Mint and as all my regular customers know I do not exaggerate my listings.  Why would I?!  There are so many loud sections on this classic but of course there are many quiet passages also and they all play with the same breathtaking precision.  Quite possibly the most impressive version I have ever heard on a 4U side!

'Funny How Love Is' plays with great precision throughout and with no interference again.  There is perhaps a hint of inner groove distortion but that is to be expected.  It is only very minor and there is no 'background' on the long fade out.

'Seven Seas Of Rhye' ends this classic album with fantastic audio and barely any distortion.  And it hardly needs to be said but there is not one click or pop etc!  A spectacular finish with no interference on the seaside 'singalong' either!

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE archive album plays with a sonic quality that is so rarely heard today.  Only on barely played records I would say and this is definitely one of those.  I often mention it but there is excellent clarity on played records and then there is clarity such as this.  There is more 'sound' if you like and each note plays with such incredible definition.  As stated there are only a couple of mega faint spindle traces on each side and this is without question a record that has hardly ever been on a turntable.  It is visually stunning and the gatefold and lyric inner are also extremely impressive.  A genuine collectors' item if ever there was one.           

The Gatefold

 This laminated G&L gatefold is in superb condition with no obvious shelf wear at all.  The edges and spine are untouched with no rubbing or marking at all.  They are stunning!  The opening edge has no handling wear and the corners are in fantastic order with no real wear either.  The front and back cover are near perfect with no laminate splits or lifting and only a couple of minor creases next to the edges.  The inside of the gatefold is almost as good with only a small number of tiny 'spots' and just the mildest hint of wear on the bottom edge, it can hardly be seen!  The colours remain strong and vibrant and there is none of the staining that you so often see, the white background is very clean.  The inner spine is superb and will not even fully extend proving that it never has been.  This is a great example of this iconic gatefold and one of the cleanest I have seen in a long time.

Lyric Inner

This original inner, with rounded corners, is in superlative condition and to think it is made of paper!  I would say it has hardly ever been out of the cover it is that clean.  There are no splits or creasing and only a couple of very faint barely visible small marks on Side White and four very faint 'spots' in one corner on Side Black.  Most sellers would not even mention this!   A stunning example without doubt.

The Labels

The original EMI labels are almost 'as new' with barely any spindle wear and no marking or writing.

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

EMA 767 // YAX 4735 - 10 / YAX 4735 (crossed) 4736 - 4U // 1 0  1 / RDH 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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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

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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.

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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

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

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

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

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

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