Beatles LP Abbey Road 1978 Columbia Consignment in Shrink Sharp Playback, EX

$

78

(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 LP Abbey Road 1978 Columbia Consignment in Shrink Sharp Playback, EX!

We would have thought that by 1978, Capitol would have had enough pressing plants and personnel to have handled pressing responsibilities for Beatles output.  Not so.  Certain titles were still selling massive amounts.

This consignment pressing has a concentric groove which is consistent with Columbia Records, being closer to the outer edge of the record labels.  There are also both Capitol and Columbia markings in the dead wax, which created a unique hybrid sound quality.

The plates were supplied by Capitol, but were pressed on Columbia lathes with Columbia vinyl stock.  This means that the playback had Capitol’s sound quality of deep groove midrange, as well as more pronounced stereo separation than Columbia Records had. 

But at the same time, Columbia, known for exquisite high-end that doesn’t lisp over time from groove wear provides crisper detail, not only in the highs, but also sharper detail in the midrange.  Much of that is due to Columbia’s vinyl stock, which is thinner and more flexible than Capitol’s.  It allows for more signal to be pressed into their grooves, which is why Columbia albums from that period of time sound so good.

I compared this copy to an Apple copy from the Winchester plant and on headphones.  The difference is obvious, especially in the delivery of Ringo’s kick drum throughout, as well as acoustic guitar detail.

Vinyl--- EX/EX.  Vinyl presents close to NM, but the deciding factor in the grade is that there are hairlines in the dead wax on both sides that weren’t there at the pressing plant.  Playing surfaces are both clean.

Plates--- G75/G77.  There are no Capitol insignias in the dead wax, because it wasn’t pressed by Capitol.  However, “Mastered by Capitol” is stamped on both sides.

There is also the Columbia hand-etched markings, “Col” on each side.

Cover--- EX.  Cover is still 90% in the shrinkwrap.  There’s a spot at the top center back cover, where the shrink has torn.  It uncovers the letters, “ATLE” in “BEATLES.”

Cover presents as NM, except that there is some light record outdent where the shrink is missing.  Cover has NO SPLIT SEAMS.

Breathe Holes--- As this cover was shrinkwrapped by Columbia’s factory, there are no breathe holes in the shrinkwrap.  The shrink is also a different texture than Capitol’s, being more stretchy and flexible.

Labels--- EX/EX.  Labels present as NM, except for a few spindle marks on both sides, very light.

Inner Sleeve--- VG+. Columbia inner sleeves from the late 70’s had no die-cut holes for the labels to show, as well as rounded corners.  This one has light to moderate wrinkles and record outdent, but NO SPLIT SEAMS.

A generic inner sleeve will be provided, so as not to damage your original inner sleeve en route.

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!

Shipping is $5.38 for Media Mail for up to 3 single or double albums, excluding boxed sets within the U.S.  $5.38 covers shipping for up to 5 singles within the U.S., and within the same auction week.

Winners in all other countries will be charged actual shipping to their locations, so please wait to be invoiced.  You will be quoted for the cheapest shipping to your country that the US post office can afford me.  Please let me know if you would prefer to pay for a faster means of shipping, but do NOT ask me to declare packages as gifts, or any other means of defrauding the postal services.  Much appreciated.

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