Pink Floyd : The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn 2/2 Early Pressing (Two EMI box)

This fifth issue stereo pressing plays to a fantastic and has no interference at all, it is immaculate!  It has only been lightly played and the clarity and sonic quality is so impressive.

This is not one of the earliest EMI Columbia pressings but it is certainly not a late one!  It has a 2/2 matrix and two EMI logos and 'The Pink Floyd' on the labels

This is unquestionably one of the 'cleanest' versions of this classic I have ever seen and the only issue is a very minor 'kink' on the record - more detail below.  It has no affect on the superb audio at all.

The cover is also in lovely condition with barely any shelf wear.

Please wait for the invoice before making payment as it may have to sent via tracked shipping, conditions below.

SCX 6157 // YAX 3419 - 2 / YAX 3420 - 2 // AL 2 / LG 4

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Near Mint

The inner is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl has been so well preserved down the years and is in pristine condition.  It has immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and is visually 'as new' if I'm honest.  There is only a little spindle wear and it is obvious this record has only been lightly played.  There are no marks, scratches or hairlines - it really is in beautiful condition.  The run out grooves and labels are also in superb condition.  The only negative is that it does have a very minor 'kink' which is not a warp in my opinion and may well have been caused during manufacture.  It has no affect on the stunning quality of the audio and is only noticeable on the first two thirds of each side.  There are no skips or jumps and I repeat it is only very minor!

Play grading  

There is no 'background' on the lead in grooves and then the quiet build up on the 'Astronomy Domine' intro does not even have a single dust tick, the clarity is stunning.  It continues to play with incredible precision and already you can tell this vinyl has only been infrequently played.  The sonic quality is so impressive and there is no interference at all and only a very small number of barely audible dust ticks.  The 'as new' fade out gives you a real sense of the clarity on offer here.  This is Mint I am confident in saying - it could not be a better start to this album.

'Lucifer Sam' is of the same immaculate standard and again there is no 'background'.  For once there is no distortion on the vocal and the clarity is exceptional.  Mint again.

The quiet intro on 'Matilda Mother' is so 'clean' and it progresses in much the same way.  I am already running out of superlatives for this album!  There are no clicks, pops, static, crackle and no dust ticks either.  Plus another perfect fade out - the clarity throughout is outstanding.  Another Mint track.

What I said above applies to 'Flaming' also!  Pure Mint audio from start to finish.  This may not a mega early pressing but it is an early one nonetheless and how often are they found like this?

What follows is possibly the most 'complete' version of 'Pow R. Toc H.' that you could ever wish to hear.  There are so many quiet sections and yet they all play with the same sublime clarity and the 'louder' middle section does not disappoint either.  Stunning!  The final section is without fault - there is clarity and then there is clarity such as this!  You know the grade...

'Take Up Thy Stethoscope And Walk' plays with great power and clarity and with these pressings you can tell the distortion issues with the earlier pressings have been removed.  A fantastic Mint end to the side and wow what a side!

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The intro on 'Interstellar Overdrive' is faultess and as the percussion comes in there is no decrease in quality.  The more it progresses the more you are blown away by the depth and power of the audio.  You can hear each note with perfect precision i.e. there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and the quieter sections also play with exceptional quality.  This is one of the strongest versions I have heard in a long time and there are just no negatives.  There are only a handful of very light dust ticks but you may not even notice them.  The strong stereo sound on the end section is so powerful and the definition of the audio could not be improved - you can hear it alternating between the speakers with incredible precision.  I will be cautious and grade this as Mint- :-)

'The Gnome' is unbelievable from start to finish.  The clarity is as 'as new' and Mint is an easy grade to give here!

'Chapter 24' also plays with very impressive audio and again there is no interference.  A small number of totally insignificant dust ticks so will grade as Mint- although why I mention them I do not know as they hardly classify as interference.  A 'high end' version for certain.

The quiet intro on 'The Scarecrow' plays beautifully and continues in the same way.  There is perhaps just a minimal touch of vocal distortion but I am sure that it just the way it was recorded and not an audio defect.  The section where the extra percussion and bass come in towards the end is so 'clean' - incredible depth and the fade out also plays like it was pressed only yesterday!  Mint-

The classic 'Bike' ends the album with super clean audio and...no interference.  Again just a minimal (very minimal!) amount of vocal distortion but in no way is it intrusive and this is a fantastic listen without doubt.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the 'silent' section near the end shows just how stunning the clarity is.  The 'instrumental' end section is 'as new' and again you cannot believe you're listening to a 40+ year old record!  It provides a Mint- finish to the album.

In summary this stereo pressing plays to standard that is so rarely found today.  There is no interference and hardly any dust ticks which is a rarity.  And when I say dust ticks, they are barely audible!  There is hardly any distortion either and is so minimal scarcely deserves a mention.  Yes the record has a very minor 'kink' but overall you could not wish to find a pressing that plays as well as this.  The vinyl is in immaculate condition and has been so well cared for down the years and I have never seen a 'cleaner' version of this fifth issue.  There is not a single click or pop on either side and no static or crackle either.  A STUNNING album throughout.

The Cover

The laminated G&L cover is in lovely condition with hardly any shelf wear.  The edges and thin pinched spine have no rubbing and the corners have no wear either, how rare is that?!  The opening edge looks untouched and the laminated front cover is in superb order with only one very faint crease in the bottom left corner.  The back cover has retained all of its original 'white' colour so well and and has staining and only a couple of very small faint marks.  This edition has no flipbacks.  This is a stunning example of this iconic cover and is almost 'as new' in my opinion.

The Inner

The die-cut plain white inner has no side splits or tears and barely any creasing and no marking either.

The Labels

The labels are in near perfect condition with only minimal spindle wear and no marking or writing.

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

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

SCX 6157 // YAX 3419 - 2 / YAX 3420 - 2 // AL 2 / LG 4

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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