I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

Tractor : Tractor A-2 / B-2 1st Press 1972

This very collectable and relatively rare first pressing plays with STUNNING audio across both sides with no interference!  As always I have played every track in full and the clarity, depth and power of the audio could not be any stronger.  As detailed below there are three ticks at the start of S2 during the 'audience' section but this is before the music begins.  The vinyl does have some hairlines but they have no affect on the audio and I cannot overstate just how impressive the sonic quality is.  A FINAL UPGRADE archive classic of that I am certain!

I sold one of these two months ago and if anything this one is even better!  It is genuinely a prog classic covering some many genres and was criminally underrated at the time although the famous DJ John Peel recognised their potential and signed them to his Dandelion Records label!  Previously known as The Way We Live this is their first release as Tractor.  In my opinion it is one of this finest releases from this era and you can see why it is so collectable today and especially in this condition!

The cover is in excellent condition with some wear around the opening edge but certainly not an excessive amount.  The plain white inner sleeve is also in excellent shape.

This first pressing was released with an A2 / B2 matrix and the producer John Brierley is written as John G. Brierley on the labels but not on the cover.

2310217 A//2 ∇ 420 1 1 2   04

2310217 B//2 ∇ 420 1 1 2   04

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex-

The labels are Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no scratches.  Under a bright light you can see a number of faint hairlines but not one of them has any affect on the superb audio.  There is no groove wear and the run out grooves are very clean.  The Dandelion labels have no marking / writing just some spindle wear but not loads!

Play grading  

The 'quiet' intro on 'All Ends Up' plays with incredible clarity, there is no intrusion aside from one light tick, and as the volume increases the playback is stunning!  Milne's opening vocal is flawless and it continues in the same precise way.  The long instrumental plays with great power and depth and the quieter passage towards the end could not play any better - there are only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  The final vocal is as good as the first and this has to grade as Mint- and to be fair I'm not even sure the minus is required!

The acoustic intro on 'Little Girl In Yellow' plays beautifully with no interference and the quiet opening vocal passage is just as impressive.  A superb start!  As the rhythm guitar comes in the standard does not drop and the next vocal plays perfectly also.  The mid instrumental is just stunning!  Turn it up to full blast here there is zero distortion and the power and definition of the audio is on another level, 'as new' sums it perfectly.  I cannot emphasise enough just how superb the audio is - the sonic quality is incredible and there is just nothing that gets in the way of the Mint audio.  Milne was one fine guitarist for sure!  Even as the volume decreases the playback is not affected in any way and quieter section is 'as new' also.  As the volume builds again.... I'm just running out of superlatives truth be told!  And the final high octane section is phenomenal as good as anything preceding - from start to finish this is Mint - what a version!

'The Watcher' keeps up this fine standard and plays with sublime clarity from start to finish.  Every section plays so clearly and again there is no interference.  A handful of mega light ticks near the end, more like dust ticks, but really you can hardly hear them.  Mint-

The 'audience' intro on 'Ravenscroft's 13 Bar Boogie' has three slightly more obvious ticks but in no way are they loud.  As the track begins the audio is so strong and deep and despite being the final track there is no inner groove distortion.  Then mid solo is superb and the sonic quality is as it was back in '72 basically.  It continues in the same precise way with no intrusion - the bass is so strong and adds so much to this 'live' track and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- also.  What a stunning side of music!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The long quiet intro on 'Shubunkin' once again demonstrates how well this vinyl has been preserved and plays with wonderful clarity and only a handful of mega light dust ticks.  As this instrumental 'kicks on' the playback is superb and as per S1 there are no negatives.  No ticks, clicks etc this is a Mint- start to S2.

The segue into 'Hope In Favour' is perfect as is the opening vocal.  From then on it plays with imperious quality and not one iota of interference.  Another Mint track and again what a version!

The acoustic intro on 'Everytime It Happens' has no background and the opening vocal is equally as 'clean'.  It continues to play with breathtaking quality - the first half is relatively quiet and yet there is no intrusion on the audio.  The second half plays like it has never been played before and this sonic quality is maintained to the very end.  Stunning guitar work here again and dare I say another Mint version.

'Make The Journey' plays with phenomenal audio through every section.  Interspersed between the quiet and the loud the audio is equally impressive on both.  There is no need to dissect each section as the entire track is just incredible!  Delicate perfect audio when it needs to be and all conquering power and depth during the high octane moments.  The super quiet mid section is a prime example of the clarity with not even one single dust tick!  As it builds the audio is just STUNNING and the remainder of this classic plays with unbelievable quality also.  Heavy on percussion I cannot praise it highly enough - every note is so sharp and precise and again I cannot believe what I am listening to!  No inner groove distortion, no interference just pure MINT audio from the first note to the last.  The brief silent section near the end is totally silent and the musical box ending plays with perfect clarity also.  Honestly audio does not get any better than this - this is a truly STUNNING version, you can see why John Peel was such a fan!

In summary this first pressing plays to the highest standard possible with no interference.  Ok there are three ticks at the start of 'Ravenscroft's 13 Bar Boogie' on S1 but that is even before the track begins!  The two real stand outs - the clarity and the power of the audio.  The playback is so clean and precise and the power is just stunning.  There is no distortion on the top end and you can hear each note perfectly.  The depth and resonance of the audio can also not be forgotten and from all this you can determine that this vinyl has in no way been overplayed as it has retained all of its original sonic qualiuty so well.  A genuine FINAL UPGRADE classic in every way.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

 The cover is in excellent shape when you consider it isn't laminated.  The edges are in superb condition and the spine remains 100% legible with only some light compressions.  All corner are very clean with hardly any wear and it's on the opening edge where most of the shelf wear is but even then it is not major.  It has a little handling wear, one tiny 'nick' and is also a slightly wavy.  The front cover has one small scuff next to the spine and some minor creasing and handling wear close to the spine but overall is very clean.  The back cover is in great condition with barely any marking and only minimal wear / spotting next to the spine again.  As stated I sold another Tractor first press a couple of months back and this cover is certainly better than that one.  A very respectable version overall.

The plain white die-cut inner is in excellent order with no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing.  Just noticed a name written in very small letters in one corner.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

 2310217 A//2 ∇ 420 1 1 2   04

2310217 B//2 ∇ 420 1 1 2   04

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!