GROUNDHOGS Solid 1Y1/2Y3 1st Press 1974 WWA Ex COVER & Incredible MINT- AUDIO
£
18
$
23
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently. Groundhogs : Solid 1Y1 / 2Y3 1st Press 1974 WWA Records
This first pressing plays to a superb standard with basically no interference. Based on the visual and audio quality and the lack of spindle wear this is clearly a record that has hardly been on a turntable. The clarity, depth, warmth and power of the audio is outstanding and I only 'picked up' a handful of minor statics and a couple of brief distorted notes. I cannot overstate how strong and clear the audio is and in true Groundhogs style there are a number of quite sections as well as a number of very powerful sections. They all play incredibly well and the audio definition in particular really stands out.
The textured gatefold is in excellent condition with very little wear and the lyric insert is near perfect. The original Plastic Bags... inner sleeve is also in excellent shape.
WWA 004 1Y//1▽ 420 05 1 1 5
WWA 004 2Y//3 420 05 1 1 4 BILBO (etched)
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The textured cover is a very strong Ex The lyric insert is Near Mint
The original inner sleeve is Ex
The WWA labels are Mint-
Visual description
The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with no marks or scratches. Under a strong bright light S1 is stunning with only a handful of ultra faint hairlines that are not easy to find anyway. S2 is not far behind with only a couple of hairlines that are a little more obvious but you still have to hold the vinyl at a certain angle in order to see them. There is also one very small faint blemish but it has no affect on the audio. There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash' either and the WWA labels are practically 'as new' with only one faint spindle trace on each.
Play Grading
The clarity on the 'Light My Light' is stunning! It first builds and there is then complete silence which has no background at all. The guitar has a very minor distorted sound for a couple of notes but as the rhythm section of Cruickshank and Brooks join in the audio is faultless. McPhee's opening vocal section has no intrusion and it continues to play with superb depth and resonance and... no interference. McPhee's unique vocal lends itself perfectly to this track and the long instrumental is 'as new' - the clarity and depth again top class. The final vocal section is perfect and this opening track easily deserves a Mint- grade.
The acoustic section 'Free From All Alarm' plays with perfect clarity and it lasts for approximately three minutes. Sensational audio. As the 'electric' kicks in the playback is equally as strong and the fade out / in / out section at the end has no intrusion either. This is a stunning Mint version from the first note to the last including the fade out.
'Sins Of The Father' keeps up this fine standard and plays with phenomenal audio through every vocal and instrumental section. It impresses on every level, it just could not play any better and I do not say that lightly. The depth and warmth of the audio in particular is so impressive. Mint
'Sad Go Round' ends the side with great quality once more. A powerful start with no distortion and it continues like this through the first vocal and beyond. This is superb sonically, I cannot fault the audio. You have to turn this one up to max it sounds fantastic! From start to finish there is no intrusion and it has to grade as Mint which isn't bad for a final track!
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Every instrument this time played by McPhee on 'Corn Cob' and it plays with amazing quality throughout! The sonic quality here is breathtaking and I only heard a couple of minor statics during the mid instrumental. It's a very original track and I just cannot fault it. His vocal is very strong and clear and the quiet part of the end section has only 3/4 super quiet statics. I have to grade it as Mint- it is a stunning version.
The intro on 'Plea Sing, Pleas Song' is powerful and deep and the opening vocal is flawless. The next instrumental plays with impeccable quality and again the depth and resonance of the audio is equal to that of an unplayed record. From then this high end standard is maintained - the closing vocal / instrumental are nigh on perfect with only a couple of minor statics right at the end. Mint-
'Snowstorm' very much shows off McPhee's voice and it seemed to get increasingly more 'gruff' with each passing year! Each vocal is so clean and raw here and the instrumental passages are phenomenal. Mint
The opening section on 'Jokers Grave' plays to perfection and the first vocal is on the same level. This near 9 minute track continues in the same exact way. Every minute, every second plays with unbelievable audio, there is no need to dissect every section. The first instrumental of substance is 'as new' and that applies to the entire track! Another original number that plays with pristine Mint precision through every section. It is so powerful and yet there is no distortion plus the quiet end section has no background. Has this record ever been played before?!
The Cover, Lyric Insert & Inner Sleeve
The textured cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear. Only the bottom edge has some light rubbing and the spine is very clean with only a little wear on the top corner and some minor compression here and there, something you often find. The bottom right hand corner has a little rubbing as can be seen but the one top right is is in superb shape as is the opening edge which has hardly any handling wear. The front cover is very clean with only a couple of very minor blemishes and you can also see the two small corner 'rubs'. The back cover is similar with just one small mark near the bottom edge and a tiny corner crease. A very strong example overall when you consider this 1974 cover is not laminated.
The lyric insert is in superb condition with no marking and barely any creasing. The original poly-lined Plastic Bags... inner sleeve is in excellent shape with no side splits or tears and has just some age related fading / marking mainly around the edges.
WWA 004 1Y//1▽ 420 05 1 1 5
WWA 004 2Y//3 420 05 1 1 4 BILBO (etched)
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM-95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
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Postage & Packaging
I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping. This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage. The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered. Any over-payment will always be refunded.
The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD). An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known. Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing. Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Many thanks.
All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection. They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection. I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.
The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each. There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up! Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra
If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed. If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!
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