THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO UK + IMPORT COVER

	£		120
	$		159

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4. Europe £10. Rest of World £14. ALL signed for. – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment.

Artist or Band: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND

Album Title: The Velvet Underground & Nico.

Producer(s): Andy Warhol is credited as ‘Producer’ but apparently had minimal participation in any ‘production’ of this record. Members have since stated that this record was actually not ‘produced’ as such at all. The sound of this album was made by two engineers: Norman Dolph and John Licata assisted by the band. Tom Wilson is credited for producing ‘Sunday Morning’.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Sunday Morning; I’m Waiting For the Man; Femme Fatale; Venus in Furs; Run Run Run; All Tomorrow’s Parties.

Side 2: Heroin; There She Goes Again; I’ll Be Your Mirror; The Black Angel Death Song; European Son.

Label/Format: MGM.

Label Conditions: Both in superb condition – fresh, clean and attractive with barely a spindle trace to be seen. Maybe one each side with utmost scrutiny.

Cat Number: 2315056.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 124 grams. A good solid average weight.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & Introduction: Early copies of this album are rare – that is US and UK pressings. Although this UK-pressed MGM copy is not a first issue, this is still a very rare example indeed as firstly, it is a first pressing on the new MGM label that replaced the initial Verve issue and it has hardly even been played. Secondly, and this is the hugely significant part – this album includes the rare American gatefold banana cover that was never issued initially in the UK. These American covers included the very famous peelable banana artwork. Clearly, a few of these imported covers were used-up on the new British pressing of this famous record that sold in very low amounts. Very quickly, a dedicated new UK cover was printed with the banana and gatefoldl format, BUT, the banana was printed on which (obviously) made it unpeelable. The ultimate proof of this cover being used for this MGM/Polydor copy is the back 2315056 SUPER sticker (as seen in close-up). I have never seen such a copy of this record before and only a tiny amount would exist in this form. It was not so unusual for a US cover to be used for late 1960s UK-pressed album, especially on Elektra Records, again part of Polydor, but for one of the classic and rarest covers of all-time to find it’s way here is far more unusual. And to put icing on the cake, this cover is in unsually very fine condition with little of the usual wear seen. Okay, in the distant past, the original owner could not resist taking a peek under the banana, hence the top of the skin was neatly torn. It quickly appears this person realised this was not a good idea and did NOT remove any further, hence almost the entire banana has NOT been peeled. The piece was as neatly as possible replaced to it’s initial position with just a tiny nick missing as can be seen on my close-up picture. Most will already know a pink phallic looking piece of fruit lies beneath. Finally, this superb set includes the scarce ‘Head Hunter’s’ inner sleeve in fantastic condition – this the very first time I have seen a Velvet Underground album that includes this collectable and famous collage inner. And this has NOT been added, it genuinely DID come with the set. So this is a rare and fully complete set, I regard it as potentially one of the rarest items I have yet offered on Ebay – you could search forever to find another. Historically one of the greatest albums ever made and now a chance to own possibly a unique example.

Original Year of Release: 1967. This first MGM pressing from 1971 and most all of these included the new printed UK banana cover.

Matrix Nos: 2315056 A // 1 420 1 1 1 & 2315056 B // 1 420 1 2

Musicians: Lou Reed – Lead guitar, Ostrich guitar, vocal; John Cale - Electric viola, piano, bass guitar; Sterling Morrison - rhythm guitar, bass guitar; Maureen Tucker - percussion; Nico - vocal. [NOTE: This is the only album this line-up ever recorded together. Nico wanted more vocal parts on future albums, but this was rejected and she left soon afterwards. Cale made one further album with the band before leaving himself whereupon the band’s music mellowed considerably].

“Not Since the Titanic ran into that iceberg has there been such a collision as when Andy Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable burst upon the audiences at The Trip” – LOS ANGELES TIMES.

Album and Band Info: This album for me, along with Zappa’s Freak Out is the most important album in underground ‘rock’ history, a true landmark recording that expanded the boundaries of the taboo into ‘popular’ music. Topics only hinted at previously were laid open and nothing was held back – a record that ventured deeply into unchartered territory and into the minds of those prepared to listen. While other bands of the era were singing songs of love and peace, The Velvets and Zappa offered a stark alternative. Revolutionary, chaotic, uncompromising, daring and totally unique – this album even today sounds radical and only it’s primitive sound gives away it’s great age. Nothing had been heard like it before or since and it changed the face of ‘modern rock’ music forever. Two American guys, a female percussionist, a classical Welsh viola and keyboard player and a German femme fatale vocalist – hardly conventional from the outset – and the material these five put to vinyl was little short of breathtaking.

“Warhol’s brutal assemblage – non-stop horror show. He has indeed put together a total environment, but it is an assemblage that actually vibrates with menace, cynicism and perversion. To experience it is to be brutalised, helpless” – CHICAGO DAILY NEWS.

Daring, unconventional and light years ahead of the time – the subjects covered in their songs was so head-on and controversial, it was little surprise no other labels wanted them, and even Verve were nervous. This too, a label that introduced the world to Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. Hard drugs, sex, pushers and sado-machochism are just some of the subjects featured within the songs and this groundbreaking album was reviled on issue. So-much-so, they never had any commercial success within their recording period at all. No air-play and almost universally ignored at the time, for the pop-loving public, most found it unlistenable and it sold very poorly, especially in the UK. Only the brave few would have parted with hard-earned cash for such a revolutionary band and new sound – few original UK Verve copies will ever be found and for those that do show, most will be unplayable and wrecked. Bought by certain types of the day, and few were hi-fi connoisseurs with better equipment. This legendary record is now regarded by most as a genuine classic – I consider it a masterpiece – and I openly state it’s possibly my favourite album of all time – certainly in my top five for sure along with The Doors, Zappa’s We’re Only it for the Money, Beefheart’s Trout Mask Replica and In the Court of the Crimson King – yes my preferences are still for the more challenging end of the music spectrum. The only negative (for some) was the low-fi sound quality, this is not a high fidelity recording. Very sparse with basic sound and no digital ‘spiffing up’ will ever make this one sound better. I actually think this primitive sound enhances the music’s appeal which varies from delicate pop to ferocious feedback-driven mayhem. Played with sufficient volume, this record can still pack a fair punch and without doubt, the still early vinyl still has hidden sounds that later formats seem to lack. A backdrop of Reed’s piercing guitar – the ‘ostrich’ guitar is a big drone guitar as can be heard on the sublime Nico sung ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ [contender for my all-time favourite album song – blended with Cale’s eerie electric viola with Mo Tucker’s primitive drum-beat (she did not use cymbals on this record). Hardly gifted technically, her unique pounding of the skins gave The Velvet Underground an even more basic sound. She did not play on the final proper VU album Loaded due to pregnancy and their sound became far too polished for many fans liking, and band members – even ‘Mo’ herself have stated that was a mistake. The sound is held together by the under-rated rhythm guitar of Sterling Morrison. John Cale was at the forefront of the early Velvet Underground sound, an avant garde classically trained string player, his screeching viola cut right through the listener and is predominate in the almost unthinkable content of ‘Venus in Furs’. But even that controversial track is overshadowed by ‘Heroin’ which starts very gently before Reed ‘puts a spike into his vein, and things aren’t quite the same’ – the whole trip from beginning to end is a rollercoaster ride ending with a guitar frenzy ‘as the smack begins to flow’ – no wonder Verve were nervous, this was the ultimate trip into self-destruction.

“Nico astonishing – the macabre face – so beautifully resembling a momento mori, the marvellous deathlike voice coming from the lovely blonde head” – David Antrim, ART NEWS.

Not all is chaotic though, there are moments of real beauty on this set, provided by Nico’s (real name Christa Paffgen) haunting, dark Germanic vocal. ‘Femme Fatale’ is gorgeous and delicate as is ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror’ but best of all, for me anyway, is the truly stunning ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’, a track I could listen to every day just for the sheer pleasure of it. A moderately slow, hypnotic driving rhythm with piano, drum beat and tambourine opening before the beautiful vocals starts – I don’t have the words to describe the beauty of this track – I will simply state ‘It’s perfect’ and anyone who is not moved by this one simply does not like music – coincidentally – this was Warhol’s favourite song too – listen and enjoy. Of course, the vinyl includes the original definitive version, most CD versions of this song actually use a different cut of this track with Nico’s voice sung solo. On this early cut vinyl, her voice is double-tracked and for most is superior. I have heard MGM copies of this record that have not been that well pressed and crackle. This ultimate first repress is superb and has little to fault, without any doubt, it has hardly even been played. The cover, the content, the band – all controversial and groundbreaking – clearly Warhol influenced – are magnificent and just holding this famous old record gives pleasure. With a fantastic Head Hunter’s inner and that most daring US peelable banana cover, this indeed is possibly the rarest edition you will ever seen or be offered.

“With the Velvets comes the blonde, bland, beautiful Nico, another cooler Dietrich for another cooler generation. Art has come to the discotheque and it will never be the same again” – John Wilcock, EAST VILLAGE OTHER.

This is a very ‘basic’ recording and unpolished, but it’s simplicity adds to the thrill of it’s rawness and I feel it works perfectly – this simply would not sound right any other way. Recorded in just eight hours with a shoe-string budget, any over-production on this one would have marred it’s impact and spoilt it’s directness and attitude. This record would have rarely been bought by hi-fi buffs or sound connoisseurs – only the brave and adventurous – I was only ten when this was issued and I did not discover the delights of the ‘Underground’ until around 1972. My first copy of this album was indeed a UK MGM example (more pressed than this one and crackly hasten to add). It has a standard UK printed banana cover that offers scant authenticity to this rare US peelable version. Influential beyond belief and admired by many later bands and now, most all critics – how times and attitudes change. With so few early Verve copies around and most that are found trashed, this first MGM is a beauty. The cover is strong with little wear, only the light damage caused by the curious first owner – that far from uncommon, but at least now intact again. For collectors needing this remarkable record, it’s a copy worthy of high consideration. These US mostly unpeeled banana covers are immensely hard to find, most are worn, tatty, split and just plain ugly. Often the banana skin removed and missing. The greatest rock album of all-time? – well possibly, this is an immense opportunity to own it in one of it’s rarest forms.

“The sound is a savage series of atonal thrusts and electronic feedback. The lyrics combine Sado-Masochistic frenzy with free-association imagery. The whole sound seems to be the product of a secret marriage between Bob Dylan and the Marquis de Sade” – Richard Goldstein, NEW YORK WORLD JOURNAL-TRIBUNE.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT: and this being very critical – most will know how prone to wear these thick card, US covers are. A gatefold format with the stick-on peelable banana on the front. The back has the more censored version of the torso cover. Also the UK Polydor 2315056 SUPER sticker on the rear top left corner. The surfaces have a light shiny sheen, all were unlaminated. Printed and made in the USA and imported purely for a tiny few or the first pressed MGM UK records.

Cover Front: This iconic cover looks very impresisve with just the top stalk part of the peelable banana pulled and split. This has been carefully replaced with just a tiny nick missing from the right. The rest of the banana is as made and has NEVER been pulled or peeled, hence incredibly neat and undamaged. The front is uncreased and any grubbiness or rubbing very light indeed. The actual banana is still fresh with super colour, any marks are tiny, light and quite faint. Few will survive much better and this is seldom seen at all outside the US.

Cover Back: The back has a little light rubbing and speckle on the darker artwork, but in terms of this one, very light indeed. The lack of ringwear is highly unusual and this has barely any creasing. Low on grubbiness, this cover back, now over 40 years old, has aged little. What gives this US cover it’s UK passport is the Polydor sticker which has never been picked at or removed, this has aged little either with just a little darkening of the very edge on it’s right. Finding both these exterior surfaces better will prove beyond difficult.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Superb, and little short of as-made.

Top Edges: Both very straight and sound, the odd small crease but they appear unsplit, that a significant factor for somewhat brittle US covers.

Bottom Edges: Similar again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, quite sharp, any thickening or burr traces to the back opening, very small and few indeed. The front has a closed edge and barely any hint of wear at all.

Spine and Text: A very impressive and wide spine, just lightly toned to give a hint of age, but barely any real wear at all. Solid, robust and straight with no splits. All text is fully present and totally unworn (as seen on my close-up picture). Folded squarely with the edges flush and parallel.

Corners: A fine rub and hint of surface split on the top back right, but little else. Any tip creasing mild and all remain neat and crisp.

Cover Summary: A sheer piece of rock history, sadly so overlooked at the time, this almost single-handedly reinvented the face of alternative music. I seldom laud US covers over UK ones, but I happily make a big exception on this one – the decision not to issue this iconic gatefold in the UK in the 1960s was in my opinion a big mistake. So if the peelable banana cover is wanted from around the time of manufacture – it has to be the American version, and this one will take a lot of beating.

The ‘Head Hunters’ – Get a Head Inner: MINT(-): a word I use on inners this great age seldomly, but this classic inner more than merits it. Only a select few examples of this famous title would have included this inner. Fully lined and with robust flipback construction (all super neat, almost as made), unsplit or torn and barely a hint of creasing. With a rich dark, matt finish, this can fade and age badly too, yes it can even suffer ringwear and often does. This has escaped it simply because the record was not stored inside this one (there lies the difference). Slight gum edge browning on the inside, but unseen from the outside – the side that counts of course. A classic rare inner with all the artists you would imagine included in the collage from the aforementioned labels. A select few are: Led Zeppelin; Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention; Rory Gallagher; CSN; Ritchie Havens; The Who, Melanie et al. A class item, flipback folded, getting rare initself and highly prized and sort-after, especially so in such incredibly fine condition.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-): and a first MGM repress that appears hardly even played. Given to what most of these vintage underground albums are seen like, this is exceptonal. Very clean with a super shine, jet black and solidly pressed. All the evidence of those superb clean labels and playing surfaces reitterates this has hardly made the trip out the famous cover. For those who want to experience this revolutionary band sounding as good as they ever can, this will rarely be beaten. I truly deem this pressing, this early off the line, to be hardly more easy to find than the Verve issue and this should please most-all fans and collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This landmark record plays up to it’s impressive visual grading with very little to fault. Effortless and perfect tracking – as stated, a very basic recording but this incredibly clean repress offers probably the finest sound I have yet heard. No hi-fi classic, but the sound is just right for what it is and I for one would not want it any other way – the content is far more important than the actual sound. There is minimal surface sound and is very well pressed and all the music and vocals are as sharp as when made – there is NO sound degrading at all in terms of fidelity loss, and this has NOT been subjected any any worn stylus. With most of the content intense and raw with recorded distortion, any minor blemishes are washed over – the odd one-off sporadic tick is near impossible to avoid on any vinyl record this age. I enjoyed every moment of this record and with the original US cover in hand, make this a very gripping experience. A landmark recording in the history of underground rock. For those seeking this one, it’s a copy worthy of high consideration, these are truly seldom seen this clean. A record laden with history and importance, arguably the most important album ever made – you decide.

End Piece: Dark, brooding and menacing – Lou Reed and John Cale (here with Nico) are three of music’s most uncompromising characters – together they were unstoppable and although their early liaison was only relatively brief, the albums they made together with The Velvet Underground are unforgettable, timeless classics. No serious record collection can ever not include include The Velvet Underground & Nico. I found this vintage UK copy a delight and I still feel privileged to offer it – The Greatest Album ever? – well it’s close, but possibly yes. Pop music fans will clearly disagree, but I like music on the edge that has something to say. Truly disturbing and mind-shattering, totally unique, but beautiful. ‘What Costume Shall the Poor Girl Wear’?… totally priceless.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand+ based on over 8,000+ items sold in over 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please as me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £10. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £14. Add £4 per extra LP. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.