ZAPPA / MOI Ruben and The Jets UK 1G/1G N/M LP

	£		64
	$		85

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.25. Europe (including Russia) £12. Rest of World £16. ALL signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes.

PLEASE NOTE: Overseas packets that go through the customs system, can take up to 4 to 6 weeks to process and deliver, this IS normal. For Russia, this can take even longer and is out of my control, so please be patient.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment. I try to keep my P&P prices as low as possible and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably a little heavier.

Artist or Band: THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION

Album Title: Cruising with Ruben & The Jets.

Producer(s): Frank Zappa.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Cheap Thrills; Love of My Life; How Could I Be Such a Fool; Deseri; I’m Not Satisfied; Jelly Roll Gum Drop; Anything.

Side 2: Later That Night; You Didn’t Try to Call Me; Fountain of Love; No, No, No; Anyway the Winds Blows; Stuff Up the Cracks.

Label/Format: Verve – with MGM credits and ‘Sold in UK…’ etc text.

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with only two or three light, fine and faint spindle marks. A copy hardly played and matching (at least) my own personal copy. This a very first issue with the highly prized 1G / 1G mothers and stampers and offering superb sound.

Cat Number: SVLP 9237.

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: 134 grams. A typical weight for this record.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & Background: Rare: this one sold in fewer numbers than even the previous Verve albums. And until very recently, the vinyl record was the only way to experience this wonderful recording. The CD versions featured horrendous bass and drum overdubs as the original mastertape was found to be damaged, and most fans found it totally unlistenable, including myself. This Zappa classic is truly indispensable on vinyl and finding a 1G / 1G stereo copy that has hardly been played is a considerable achievement. A copy that offers wonderful sound and Ruben was not available that long before being repressed on the Verve Select series then with the matt gatefold cover.

Original Year of Release: November 1968. [likely early 69 in the UK]

Matrix No: V6 5055 A-1 / V6 5055 B-1

Stamper Codes: 1 G / 1 G

Musicians: Frank Zappa - low grumbles, oo-wah and lead guitar; Ray Collins - lead vocals; Roy Estrada - high weazlings, dwaedy-doop and electric bass; Jimmy Carl Black and Arthur Dyre Tripp III - lewd pulsating rhythm; Ian Underwood - piano, saxes; Don Preston - piano; Bunk Gardner - saxes.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Zappa’s album of retrospective nostalgia and one of his most personal. It must have raised a few eyebrows for those around at the time who bought the earlier psych albums as this is very different. An album that went back to the doo-wop sound of the 1950s, the music of Frank’s youth he was so proudly fond of and enjoyed in his younger days. This doo-wop sound was so faithfully reconstructed, it fooled many critics and listeners at the time to who was actually playing the music. Zappa originally decided to record this with a deliberate low-fi, scratchy sound but decided against it. Instead, he used a compressed production to emphasise the mechanical nature of the music – it works perfectly and is still one of Frank’s greatest ever ‘sound’ albums. Ray Collins (sadly recently deceased) vocals rarely sounded better than on this amazing journey into the past. The Ruben parody still has elements of Mothers humour and fun, the balloon on the front cover states “is this the Mothers of Invention recording under a different name in a last ditch attempt to get their cruddy music on the radio”? – I would very much doubt whether much ever made it on the airwaves. When the ‘shock’ of this ‘retro’ album wore off, it has become a real favourite amongst Zappa fans. This is a lovely copy overall, the cover has a little wear but way better than most I have seen. The record easily matches my own personal copy and plays superbly and is very unlikely to be found better. For Zappa fans, this vintage classic is indispensable.

Cover Grade and Format: NEAR EXCELLENT: the original (S)VLP covers were a single format, the gatefold non-laminates were reissued in 1971. This has a laminated front and three rear external flipbacks. This is the genuine original stereo SVLP cover, the mono version has its own cover with its own unique VLP cat. number. This was printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse. The picture on the back is a very young Frank with pencil moustache.

Cover Front: The main issue on the front is a moderate rub on the bottom left corner which can be seen on my picture. The laminate retains a very fine shine, freshness and clarity with very near total adhesion (a very tiny lift near the top left corner, but look hard). Viewed under angled light, very light traces of dulling that few covers this great age will escape totally, and any rim impression is equally light. Most of any creasing are quite light hairlines on the edges with only one or two away from the sides being equally light. The superb artwork by Cal Schenkel look terrific with rich and vibrant colour. So overall, lightly aged but for a cover this great vintage, I hardly think it matters, it simply adds to it’s authenticity and effect.

Cover Back: The back panel on this cover rarely escapes browing and I have seldom seen them devoid of some, even my own has traces. This one has very little and still looks clean and impressive. A small blemish is a small surface tear near the top right corner, as this falls on a totally untexted or graphic area, this shows little and is only very small anyway. Barely any creasing and no ring wear on a back panel that fails to ever wear well. The flipbacks are all solid, mainly with clean ends that have only light traces of burring on the bottom one. A few light hairline surface creases on them of course, but no deep cracks or lifts. A small rub trace again on the corner as the front, but this shows little on a white area. Both front and back will not prove easy to find a great deal better.

Top & Bottom Edges: Both show little wear apart from the moderate rub on the bottom left corner. These are both straight and smooth to the touch with the laminate solidly intact.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, reasonably sharp, the front is a fraction proud of the back and this has thickened a little, this more towards the bottom and as viewed end on. Both are guaranteed untrimmed, the unprotected strip on the very edge where the laminate ends short quite wide and has remained practically devoid of wear, chipping or grubbiness. The record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: A practically pristine spine: very solid and straight with minimal traces of any compression. The laminate clear and unpeeled, also crack-free. The text in supreme condition as seen on my close-up picture.

Corners: The bottom left corner, mainly on the front, has a moderate rub which has caused it to show white. This the most significant visual blemish on what is a very impressive cover. Any tip rubbing to the other three are tiny and light. Fine to very fine shape is retained, even excellent to the top pair.

Cover Summary: A really lovely original cover with just enough to remind how old it really is. Early Mothers albums were seldom purchased by hi-fi connoisseurs, but often certain types who played them heavily on goodness knows what. So finding these early sleeves and records in fine condition becomes all the more difficult. The corner rub apart, this is a really nice looker and should please many, if not most collectors.

The Inserts: A very few early copies of this album, quite possibly only in the United States, included a pair of insert sheets and these have always been very rare indeed. I have only once seen them as an original, this dating back to my teenage years. So I include for FREE to any winning bidder, a pair of repros taken from the Old Masters box set to make this album more like ‘complete’. Great fun and rarely seen – one shows how to comb a Jellyroll hairdo, the other how to perform the bop dance steps.

The Inner Sleeve: NEAR EXCELLENT: an unlined solid plain white inner that has ‘PATENTS APPLIED FOR’ text. A few light marks and minor creasing. Two small edge splits I neatly repaired to stop them widening.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-): a superb visual copy, and believe me, if my own copy was not as good as it is, this wonderful (and rare 1G / 1G first pressing) would not be going anywhere. A very clean record with very fine shine and freshness. Clearly hardly ever played and even under bright angled light, barely any surface traces to be seen at all. With many records of this type totally trashed and unlistenable (or even playable), this is light years on the other side of the grading scale. I have rarely seen this record, as an original quite this fine. This record will prove near unbeatable and should please even the most discerning Frank Zappa and Mothers fans.

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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This genuine original stereo first press record plays up to it’s visual grading with practically nothing to fault. The stereo mix is fantastic with all the detail and charm Zappa wanted it to have. This offers very clean and enjoyable sound with no degrading at all – this too being played on a highly revealing LP12 turntable. Forget those CD versions, you will never want to listen to them again after hearing this. All the original bass and drum parts are of course included here and nothing comes close. That amazing percussion throbs and pulsates throughout this recording – all missing on the pre-2010 CD versions that simply sounds ‘too modern’ and obviously ‘fake’. This is the real thing. Zappa’s idea to record this 1950s pop parody was little short of inspired. This for me remains an extra special album and at last, an original that does it maximum justice – do NOT lose this incredible record.

End Piece: Few could have predicted the fourth Mothers of Invention record, the final original album they made on Verve, would have sounded like this. But clues for Zappa’s fondness of ‘Greasy Fifties Love Songs’ were on Freak Out! with a few of these songs included on that classic debut, albeit different versions. Ruben and the Jets as an original is for the connoisseur collector, this copy really rocks just like it should. With of course the original sound and mix – for those who have never heard it, well they have never heard it for real. Zappa produces an immaculate parody of the music from his younger days with astonishing authenticity, proving again what a versatile band the early Mothers were. This is genuinely getting hard to find and copies barely played are nearing impossible. With it’s unique single cover, repro inserts and beautiful pulsating stereo sound, totally indispensable, a rare opportunity – SNAT! – bop bop bah bop bop bah – never sounded better.

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 ask 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] = £4.25

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (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 [£50 maximum]) = £12 (enhanced 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 [£50 maximum]) = £16 (£17 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced 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’.