ITEM DESCRIPTION

 

For your consideration:

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelins 3rd Album

"III"

CLASSIC RECORDS QUIEX SVP (Super Vinyl ) 200 GRAM

Vinyl = Visual NM & Play Graded VG+ (see notes)

Jacket = VG (Only because of 2 seam splits)

Vinyl weight = 202 grams

What is pictured is what you will receive

In 2003, Classic Records launched its now famous Signature Blue Note Mono reissue series. As part of that series Classic developed an "authentic" 200 gram LP profile that replicated that of an original Blue Note record from the 1950's.  Comparing a test pressing on the new profile versus the same title on the normal 180 gram pressing it was discovered that the 200 gram version sounded significantly better.  The 200 gram pressing sounded louder, with more definition and solidity of notes across all frequencies and there was more detail - particularly low level detail like room or hall sounds, pages being turned, musicians whispering and automobile sounds outside the studio all became easier to identify.  At first it was speculated inside Classic Records that the extra weight resulted in the better performance as no one could come up with a better answer given that the stampers were the same as well as the vinyl pellets used on both 180g and 200g pressings.  One day, Michael Hobson, the founder of Classic Records was discussing this unexplainable sonic discovery with the Legendary Mastering Engineer and Sheffield Records founder, Doug Sax when Doug, without hesitation stated "Ah Michael you've discovered the difference in a flat versus conventional profile".  Puzzled, Hobson asked for an explanation which Sax described as going all the way back to 1950's mono pressings and what happened when stereo records came out in the early 1960's.  Sax explained that in the 1950's when mono records had no vertical modulation (only lateral), pressing PolyVinylChloride PVC (plastic) records were more easily pressed on "Flat Profile" dies fitted to the pressing machines since the grooves on the mono stampers were all the same height (no vertical modulation).  The molten vinyl was able to flow evenly across the stampers and fill properly during the molding (pressing) of the record.  The problems started when stereo record cutting came into vogue producing stampers that had variable height grooves sticking up across the diameter of each stamper.  Using the older mono pressing dies resulted in tremendous problems getting the areas between grooves of different heights to fill properly - a groove that is in front of another taller one often got passed over by the flowing molten vinyl resulting in "non-fill" which was audible and thus a "defective" record.  Pressing plants don't like to press defective records and are always looking for high pressing yields or a s few rejects as possible.

To solve the problem, the engineers developed a new pressing die profile which tapers from the center of the die, flattens in the middle of the diameter and then tapers again toward the outside of the die. The new profile was "concave" rather than flat.  When you put a flat stampers onto the concave dies the stampers distort and are no longer flat - the grooves are no longer perpendicular across the stamper and by association across a finished vinyl pressing.  This new die profile created "back pressure" on the flowing vinyl and solved the "non-fill" problem with stereo pressings and resulted in higher yields which was great for pressing plants and good for record companies who wanted good prices on pressings.  The problem was and still is that the new profile records don't sound as good as they could because they are not flat across their profile.  Using a micrometer across the diameter of a 1950's mono records reveals that the thickness is virtually the same across the record's diameter from center label to outer edge but not so for a newer stereo profile pressing which is convex across its diameter resulting from the concave profile dies / distorted stampers.  This is the dirty little secret that Classic had rediscovered was known to old school experts like Doug Sax who founded Sheffield Labs in the 1970's.  After the discovery, Classic Records never looked back and all of its releases and re-pressings after 2003 were on the new 200 gram Flat Profile dies that were specially made for Classic.  Some years later Classic discovered that the very same profile was used by JVC in Japan to produce the legendary UHQR pressings for Mobile Fidelity which are well known to sound better than the conventional Mobile Fidelity pressings of the same titles - it all makes sense now.  The long and the short of this is that Classic 200g Super Vinyl Profile (Flat Profile) pressings are as good as it gets for proper playback without groove distortion from non-flat pressings - Period.

 

 

YES! WE COMBINE SHIPPING - EITHER INQUIRE BEFORE OR WAIT FOR INVOICE

 WELCOME BIDDERS OUTSIDE USA! 

It is recommended to contact us for multiple purchases before you bid.

 

   OUR COLLECTION

 

We (married) have been avid collectors of fine (married) vinyl for over 40 years. It’s now the third time to part with some of our many duplicates, one of a kind, and “babies” to cover our future audiophile upgrades. We use  Goldmine standards for guidance; the record carries almost all the value weight, and the cover too has utmost significant importance in defining price. Our time is valuable, like yours, and it is our goal to provide the best experience with your vinyl purchase.

-    Almost all of our collection is conservatively graded NEAR MINT (NM) to Very Good (VG) and have omitted the “M” or “M-” – there aren’t too many things in life that are “Mint.” We offer sealed, MFSL sealed, MFSL UNPLAYED but opened, MFSL Opened, QUIEX SV & SV-P, and UHQR, and ALL titles sealed or unsealed are OUT OF PRINT.  Basically, the nicest samples you’ll find anywhere and own SEVERAL copies of everything including this one. 

-    They have been stored carefully, upright, smoke free, PET FREE, and ALL in protective sleeves in secured custom made cabinets for our vinyl collection, which is free from light. We have allergies so our house is always kept at proper human comfortable levels and precise humidity levels.

These records are expensive, and that’s why you should continue reading this. Vinyl is our passion.

 

GRADING

 

Near Mint (NM) is the highest grade we use.

You will never (yes, the ‘never’ word) see us use deception tactics like “looks unplayed”, “appears unplayed” “don’t thinks its ever been played” “MINT” (or M-) or “unsure if its been played” in our descriptions.  Either its played or unplayed – right? If you cant tell a difference between a played record or unplayed record, either you didn’t own it, or you don’t know what an unplayed record looks like under bright light and shouldn’t be selling vinyl.  We don’t have time for nonsense, and neither do you.

 

Here are examples from Goldmine Standards for record grading for MINT or M-, and why WE DON’T USE THIS GRADE:

MINT (M)
These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees that the record or sleeve truly is in this condition. There is no set percentage of the Near Mint value these can bring; it is best negotiated between buyer and seller.

 

We do not play grade unplayed records. As mentioned, we’re not professional graders but we have been collecting for a very, very long time and grade using several different models, and rely on Goldmine for guidance. We will tell you more about what’s wrong with it - then attributes.  OCD and attention-to-detail are some of our attributes;-) A match made is heaven!

     Descriptions are conservative, because like you, we don’t like surprises when it comes to vinyl purchases. Most (unsealed only) are play graded, and some are visual under bright light – but its all subjective to ones ear, and ones eyes. We have a very good eye for imperfection, and also have a keen ear.  From time to time, there may possibly be the occasional quiet passage noise, or imperfection, something in the groove the stylus doesn’t like, static build up during play, or maybe its tracking too light in the groove which affects the notice of imperfections.  But what we can assure you is this – you wont find any better vinyl than right here.

In our humble opinion, our vinyl is the most pristine that you will find anywhere because WE are as OCD as you are about our vinyl: it is in a triple wall concrete and titanium 3’ thick vault, guarded with armed S.E.A.L.S, and Doberman pinchers on patrol around the clock, with machine guns surrounding the moat. We do not allow anyone to handle our vinyl, NOR THE COVER. We clean the stylus with LAST, use an anti-static record brush, and MILTY before every cue up. Sound familiar?

 

      VPI-16.5 CLEANED (UNSEALED ONLY)

 

     Every record has been cared for – from cleaning them on our VPI 16.5 – to storing – to handling. All unopened records will have been cleaned using Mobile Fidelity products “Deep Clean” and “Superwash” and our methodology to keep the record in pristine condition.  Note: we do not clean UNPLAYED / OPENED vinyl unless its requested by the buyer.

      

PAYMENT

 

  Payment is due immediately after "BUY IT NOW" or within 24 hours of auction end.

 

GENERAL SHIPPING & LP MAILER BOX

 

We use brand new proper Whiplash LP mailers on most purchase’s, they cost $1.25 each and are included in the shipping & handling costs. At our discretion we may use a different box. On multiples, we normally can’t use this box and will use another strong box if we think the vinyl will be compromised.

-       WE KNOW HOW TO PACKAGE VINYL, PROTECT RECORD/JACKET…SEALED OR UNSEALED, 140g-200g…..AND……WE GET IT TO THE CARRIER SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY.

 

-       OPENED VINYL: your vinyl will be packaged well, in a LP mailer (similar or better) ;-).  Rest assured it will be well protected, and if it is an unsealed record, it will be shipped outside of the jacket to avoid seam splits and sandwiched between oversized stiffeners.  Some times we ship in an older jacket to further protect your purchase.

-    SEALED RECORDS: we do not open and will be reinforced tightly, especially on 200g records, to ensure safe arrival, and ensure record does not “shift” while in transit, which results in unwanted seam splits. 

-    We primarily use USPS Media Mail within USA – Includes Delivery Confirmation).  If you want another method, please choose or inquire before auction ends or before paying.

 

-    If you want any other shipping method, please inquire for price BEFORE you bid.  Thanks!

 

 

     INSURANCE

 

     Insurance protects your purchase against the CARRIER if THEY are negligible and damage it while in transit.  If that happens, please be patient while we or you file the claim. You must let us know that day of receipt if there is visible damage. WE do OUR job and package it well (REST ASSURED OUR PACKAGING WONT BE AN ISSUE – WE USE THE BEST METHODS & BEST LP MAILERS). Insurance is INCLUDED IN THE SHIPPING PRICE TO FURTHER PROTECT BOTH PARTIES!  We only charge actual USPS rates for insurance.

 

 

SHIPPING - APO/FPO (WE SUPPORT OUR MILITARY AND GOV CONTRACTORS!)

 

APO/FPO – WAIT FOR INVOICE BEFORE paying so we can sort through how you want it shipped, or asks before you bid. USPS Priority will get there the “fastest”, and media mail will take your lifetime.

 

SHIPPING / CUSTOMS – OUTSIDE USA  

 

        BIDDERS OUTSIDE USA: we will try to combine on multiple purchases, please inquire before you bid for additional rates rates. $4 USD Handling charges is mandatory for each individual international shipments - these terms are not negotiable. Buyer assumes all cost associated with his/her duties and customs. 

 

     International Buyers - Please Note:

Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.

 

     Please DON’T: ask us to be untruthful on the customs form or ask us to lie about values – we aren’t going to do it.  Whatever the final value at auction end - that’s what goes on the eBay USPS generated customs form.

 

      RETURN POLICY & GENERAL POLICIES

 

-       SEALED RECORDS - If the album is sealed and you open it, absolutely no returns or refunds. We can’t control or warranty sealed records from the factory that we have no control over or and out of business (e.g.; Classic Records OOP, MOFI OOP, etc.) – it’s the chance we all take in the vinyl world for OOP vinyl. If you want to return the sealed record, you must notify us with 24 hours of receipt of return intentions, and we must receive it within 7 business days of request (if outside the USA, delivered to shipper within 48 hours after notification).  Record (‘s) must be returned exactly as packaged & as described on eBay, outter baggie seal (‘s) not breached & without damage, and at buyers cost.  To protect all parties, we will video the return while opening especially if damage present on outside.

-    UNSEALED RECORDS: If you find that it our description is different from what you have inspected, lets discuss it as adults – we are human, just like you – and we do make oversights.  In over 80 high $$ audiophile record sales, we have had only PRAISES about our grading, and folks LOVE our packaging methods. You must make contact with us within 48 hours upon delivery if you would like to return.  We do photograph all records and details before shipping, including the packaging process so it protects all parties in case of any unforeseen problems.

-       PLEASE NOTE, AGAIN: FOR OUT OF PRINT SEALED LP’S - ONCE OPENED - it is IRREPLACEABLE and therefore NOT RETURNABLE. In these instances, we are offering a sealed pressing with flaws indicated on the cover only, if any. Please note that in case of pressing flaws we cannot accept a return or replace it with another copy. This is a risk we all take when buying sealed out of print products, whether it be vinyl or other fine collectibles.

 

Note: “PRIVATE” Feedback eBayers:  We know you have a right to have your feedback private.  Please don’t bid on our auctions. Thank you.

 

FEEDBACK

 

-    When you abide within the guidelines of our auction, you have fulfilled your obligation to us.  Therefore, you receive positive feedback without being held hostage like other auctioneers will do (that just says ‘lack of confidence in their product’ in what they are selling by not giving buyer feedback).

 

-    Your feedback is very important to me as well. Please return the kindness.

 

Thank you for coming by!

 

PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN!