Deep Purple : Stormbringer A1/B1 First Press

This first pressing plays with very impressive and only a little interference on the final track on S2.  One light click on S1 also but aside from that the audio is of a superb standard.  I have played every second of the album so as to ensure a comprehensive grading.

The cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear.

TPS 3508 // A - 1U / B - 1U // TM 1 / TT 1 // KENDUN stamped into both run out grooves

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 3 Ex+ due one light click otherwise Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 5 ranges between VG+ and Ex)

The cover is Ex

The labels are Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in great condition with a very strong glossy sheen.  It has no scratches or marks and only a few very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  It has been played a number of times judging by the spindle wear but it has always been very carefully handled as it really is a very clean first press, you won't find many better.  The run out grooves and labels are also extremely cleean.

Play grading  

S1 overall plays with stunning clarity and depth and nowhere is that more evident than on the title track 'Stormbringer'.  From the first groove it is 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  'Love Don't Mean A Thing' plays to the same standard with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks.  Both tracks grade as Mint- they are that good.  'Holy Man' is almost equal to this - the quiet intro is superb with barely any static and the only negative is one click in the middle section.  Aside from that it plays to near perfection.  'Hold On' ends the side with superb playback.  There is only mega light static on the intro for 3/4 seconds (so quiet!) and then plays with stunning definition for a genuine first pressing.  There is no 'background' and it plays with sublime quality to the very end.

'Lady Double Dealer' is so powerful right from the start!  The vinyl has lost none of its original quality - it has no groove wear hence the stunning clarity of each note.  A Mint- start for certain.  'You Can't Do It Right (With The One You Love)' and 'High Ball Shooter' both play to the same immaculate standard with no interference of any kind.  'The Gypsy' also plays with wonderful clarity and again not a single click or pop, no 'background' at all basically!  The acoustic intro on 'Soldier Of Fortune' is nigh on perfect but there is a little static on the first vocal.  This is common with final tracks where you often get inner groove distortion.  There are no clicks or pops but yes there is a little static distortion in the background every now and then.  I would grade this as ranging between VG+ and Ex as the static is a little intrusive at times.

In summary this first pressing plays with great definition and power for the vast majority.   The only downsides is the one click on S1 and the static on the final track on S2.  In saying that there can't be many first pressings from '74 that have only the one click!  Very impressive overall.

The Cover

The G & L cover has very little rubbing on the edges and the spine is in superb shape with only a little wear on the corners.  The bottom right corner has some light wear also but top right is very clean indeed.  The opening edge has no obvious handling wear at all.  The front cover is very clean apart from minor 'spotting' top left where there is also a very small crease by the corner and a small number of insignificant creases around the edges.  The back cover is in great order with no marking at all, just one minor crease top left.

Inner Sleeve

The plain white die-cut inner has no splits or tears and only a couple of faint marks.  There is very little creasing.

The Labels

They have lost none of their original colour and have no marking or writing.  There is just some spindle but by no means a massive amount.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

TPS 3508 // A - 1U / B - 1U // TM 1 / TT 1 // KENDUN stamped into both run out grooves

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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