Santana III 3rd THIRD LP UK CBS 1st Press SWEET AUDIO [Ex+/Ex-]

	£		20
	$		27

An original 1st press of THREE on UK CBS from 1971. Matrix A2/B2 [you can get 1's I believe]. Ok, so how do we know we're dealing with a PROPER 1st - after all many copies look similar to this one. Well, there's a couple of things to look out for on the labels. FIRSTLY - they made a blooper on early copies and FORGOT to add track timings [like on this example]. There is, in addition, a further distinguishing factor from copies just 3 month later. the track 'Everybody's Everything' was initially credited to 'Dandilion'. ALL later copies credit this tracks publishing to 'Keith Prowse'. So, why the big fuss with getting a real early 1st copy? Well, these copies are likely to have been pressed a tad heavier and are just a couple of months from those pristine masters. And on a maximum hifi workout LP like this title - every little nuance you can drag out of the audio will pay DIVIDENDS on playback. The heavy-set vinyl comes housed in an original 1st issue gatefold cover. Again, what distinguishes an early 1st? Well, when first released you will notice that this LP made NO mention of Santana or the album title. One imagines the record company wasn't a big fan of this - they stepped in quickly and started insisting on applying a gold sticker to early copies and then, later, when re-printing covers they would add the details in blue. This 1st is a true 1st without mention of either on the front. 
Vinyl (Ex/Ex+) In super condition and clearly has only seen light use. Under close inspection I can only make out a coupe of light marks per side - one does just about sound for a second. A thorough testing from beginning to end reveals a mostly EXCELLENT+ level of playback with one slight issue down at the start of side 1. Now, you can certainly go out and purchase a half-speed master, or an Mfsl reissue - I certainly ain't gonna knock that! But just bear in mind you'll probably pay more than we are asking for on this copy. And I wouldn't mind betting this copy will 'smoke' any copy/version out there. CBS were a dab hand at pressings in the early seventies and this copy is a)extremely close onto fresh masters and b)is incredibly well preserved. I, for one, have never heard a better rendition in terms of all-out-audio. You can crank this badboy up until the rafters shake - it will handle it all the way up to 11. Even in the quietest spots. I didn't detect more than a couple of crackles in a couple of spot per side. As mentioned above a small mark does cause two slight ticks right at the start of the side 1 intro. Then, a few moments later one isolated click. A very small price to pay for some outstanding audio. A total treat.
Cover (Ex-) Not quite up to the standard of the vinyl, but I think you'll agree still more than acceptable. The front and rear are clean and flat with only light handling. A slight sticker removal top right on the front [inked in]. Remember this is the ORIGINAL aesthetic before the record company interfered. The interior is spot on - no issues. A bit of edge wear is noticeable in the odd spot - nothing bad. Nice firm opening panel with firm openings. The spine is pretty good with all text legible and light wear at the leading edges - as would be difficult to avoid. Overall the over retains excellent rigidity.



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