DEPECHE MODE VIOLATOR SCARCE 1990 UK MUTE 1st PRESS C/W LYRIC INNER GREAT AUDIO!

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of mostly 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a hard to find original copy of Depeche Mode's seventh studio album titled "Violator", Catalogue STUMM 64. It's a 1990 UK stereo first pressing on the Mute record label with an unlaminated card single sleeve (Made in England printed on back cover). It comes complete with its original first issue picture/lyric inner sleeve. [The etched record matrix numbers and run-out details are Side A: MPO STUMM 64A' P3 PR-P JA and Side B: STUMM 64B' P3 PR-P].

The sleeve is in VG+ condition with just light wear and a few minor creases near the edges. The front cover has a circular sticker residue mark near the top right corner. The back cover has a few tiny impression marks but is otherwise unmarked with a minimum of ringwear which is quite unusual for an unlaminated black sleeve. The spine is solid with all text clearly legible. Overall it's a very presentable example. Please study the supersize photos which form an important part of the description.

The mid-weight record retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually it is in VG+ condition with just light sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. The matt black Mute labels are like new with no obvious spindle traces, although the record has been played several times. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout for the most part with barely any discernible deterioration in sound quality and a minimum of unwanted noise. During a critical listen I noted a few soft ticks during the first part of the last track on Side A (Waiting for the Night) and a bit of light surface sound during the lead-in and linking grooves, but nothing of real concern. The sound quality is very powerful and vibrant with great bass. It's not in MINT- condition but it is a decent copy which plays to a high standard.
 

The picture/lyric inner sleeve is in unmarked EX condition with just a few little creases near the opening edges, but no splits or tears.

Overall this is a very presentable and complete first issue of arguably Depeche Mode's most accomplished studio album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50