A Day At The Races 1U/1U First pressing

This rare first pressing is in superlative condition.  As detailed below it is without doubt one of the best 1U/1U pressings I have ever heard. The lack of interference across both sides is just so rare, the audio is stunning.

The audio on both sides is Near Mint (many sections play as Mint)

The gatefold cover is Ex

YAX 5245 - 1U / YAX 5246 - 1U // Mother stampers GMD 4 & GRH 3

Visual grading

  Under a strong bright light Side One is absolutely immaculate.  I cannot see any hairlines and there are obviously no scratches.  Side Two has a couple of hairlines and a small area of scuffing on 'White Man' bit this has no affect on the audio at all as detailed below.  You have to see this vinyl to believe it!  It still has a fantastic glossy sheen and whilst there is some spindle wear it is not excessive.  Judging by the amazing audio this LP has been superbly looked after over the intervening years.  One of the best first 1U/1U vinyls I have ever heard.

Play grading  

There is no lead in static to 'Tie Your Mother Down' so you're automatically thinking this is going well!  It does not disappoint!  With only a minimal amount of static during the intro the track plays loud and clear, sheer perfection really.  Being so quiet 'You Take My Breath Away' often plays with crackle, especially on the first pressings, but here there is barely any background static at all.  The clarity is just stunning and this ranks as one of the best versions I have ever heard, so rare for a 1U/1U pressing.  I can't adequately describe just how stunning the audio is here!  No clicks, pops, crackle - wow!  The remaining tracks play to the same standard.  'Long Away' plays as Mint and 'The Millionaire Waltz' isn't too far behind, just a mild hint of intermittent static that is so much in the background as to be negligible, not worth mentioning really!  It still plays superbly well.  'You and I' again plays with immaculate audio, a stunning end to the side.

Again there is no lead in static prior to 'Somebody To Love'.  This classic track then plays with a consistency that you only find on high quality new vinyl.  There is no background noise and the clarity is just incredible.  For fear of repeating myself the quiet intro to 'White Man' plays nigh on perfectly with only a couple of the quietest of dust ticks.  The rest of the track more than matches this standard.  'Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy' and 'Drowse' again play to Mint standard and 'Let Us Cling Together' is not far off this pinnacle with only a very minor amount of static here and there and perhaps a little distortion towards the end which is very common on final tracks where the grooves are often pressed closer together.

In summary this is a final upgrade, archive copy without a doubt and the fact that this is a first 1U/1U pressing makes this record even more of a rarity.  The audio is simply breathtaking and it would almost impossible to find a better one in my humble opinion.  I do not over-grade as my feedback testifies and any avid Queen fan would be very pleased to have this in their collection.

Gatefold cover

At first glance the G & L gatefold looks to be in superb condition.  When held in a certain light however you can detect various fine scratch lines below the title and some on the reverse side.  In saying that this cover is so often found in poor condition but this is not one of them!  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition with only a handful of small creases around the edges and a small amount of wear on the top of the spine.  The opening edge looks barely handled.  This is definitely one of the better gatefolds you will find for a 1U/1U pressing.  Not perfect but very clean nonetheless.

Picture inner

This die-cut inner is in perfect condition with no wear or splits at all.  It is like new.

Play tested on my Technics SL-J110R turntable system

YAX 5245 - 1U / YAX 5246 - 1U // Mother stampers GMD 4 & GRH 3

Any questions please feel free to ask

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