Beatles George Harrison 1976 TEST PRESSING LP NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, EX

$

166

(Note:  If you win multiple items in a week’s listings, please wait for the end of all of the auctions for me to invoice you, so that you can take advantage of my combined shipping offer.  Thanks!)

READ THIS! These records are NOT sold for perfect sound quality. They’re sold for their scarcity and VISUAL grading. They’ve been in storage for a decade, and they WILL play with surface noise that can be addressed with D4 or a VPI cleaning.  I can’t test-play at the minute. Please don’t bid if this is a problem for you.

Beatles George Harrison 1976 TEST PRESSING LP NOT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, EX!

This must surely be one of the rarest George LP’s from the U.S.  Pressing plants generally only press 20 to 25 copies to test the vinyl quality, and most of them never leave the record plant, because they’re not allowed to.

I’ve never seen a test pressing of this one before.  Some collectors may be aware of a very good radio show from 1976 with George, to promote his then-new album, 33 1/3.

This is a great interview in which he’s engaged and informative, discussing several tracks from the album.  The first surprise is that occasionally, you can hear George lighting cigarettes and smoking it.  John and Ringo we’re used to, but George?

One of the fascinating facts he spills at great risk to himself getting sued again has to do with the “My Sweet Lord” thing.  Concerning the track, “This Song,” he comes right out and says that the intro is a rip-off of The Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself,” as well as Fontella Bass’ “Rescue Me.”  He mentions that he did that in order to show that musical plagiarism happens a lot, subconsciously or not.

(Not to mention that he freely explains that he was really ripping off “Oh, Happy Day” by The Edwin Hawkins Singers.)

He also has a funny moment, when the interviewer asked him why he changed Cole Porter’s “True Love” in his arrangement.  George answers, “because Cole Porter got the chords wrong.”

The final great little feature to this one is that the final question put to him is “Will the Beatles ever reunite?” 

His answer will genuinely surprise you, and make you chuckle.

Vinyl--- VG++/EX.  Both sides shine mostly brand new.  But Side 1 has a long soft scuff that can’t be felt with the fingertip, because every rare album has to have one long, soft scuff.  Side 2 looks bright and glossy, but has just one or two tiny little soft scratches.

Both sides have manufacturer’s defects.  Radio shows from the 70’s didn’t use the higher quality vinyl, because they weren’t meant to be played more than the once.

Plates--- PRO-1-649 LW1/ PRO-2-649 LW1.  Machine-stamped asterisk in the dead wax makes this copy pressed in Los Angeles.

Cover--- Test pressings were issued in plain, white covers, which you’ll receive.  However, I’ve also included a VG+ copy of the cover that the radio stations received.  See photos.

Labels--- VG/VG+.  As the Side 1 vinyl has that light scuff, it originates from the label, and protrudes into the playing surface.  Side 2 has minimal wear.

**(See photos for the original labels that the radio stations received on the rare radio show vinyl.)

Inner Sleeve--- No inner sleeve was issued.  It was sent in just the cardboard cover.  I’ve included a nice static-free plastic sleeve.

As these records have been in storage for many years, they will play back with crackling and tics, however; a good moisturizing and cleaning with either D4 Discwasher or a VPI machine always clears them up.  Thanks!)

Note:  All LP’s ship outside of their album covers in order not to damage the covers during shipment.

CAUTION!  There has been a startling increase in bidders canceling their bids.  A word to the wise, I have started blocking any and all bidders who retract their bids regardless of the reason.

Please don’t bid unless you’re willing to honor your amount, okay? Thanks!

(Please note:  Regarding play-testing, my Technics turntable has somehow seized.  The tone arm is stuck in the up position, and I can’t get it to fully return to its cradle.  Is there anyone out there, who can tell me if this is an easy fix?  Thanks!) 

**Check out my other auctions for more hard-to-find vinyl!

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