THE WALL

This very early first pressing of the The Wall (A2/B3/A3/B3) is in stunning condition for an LP approaching 40 years old.  I believe it would be extremely difficult to improve upon this audio such is the quality and even rarer to find a first pressing like this today.

Visual grading

Visually the vinyls are in stunning condition.  In fact I cannot underestimate just how good they look such is the quality.  They retain that glossy look of new vinyl.  Side Two is the only side that has a small compact area where some hairlines can be seen.  However, they have no bearing on the audio as is detailed below.   These vinyls are so clean it is obvious they have been hardly played.  As my play grading below confirms the audio on this classic LP plays as Mint for practically every second!  They play with wonderful quality.  

Play grading

'In The Flesh' just has a couple of light clicks at the beginning as does 'The Thin Ice' but other than that plays with very clear audio.  'Another Brick In The Wall part 1' plays as near to Mint as you will find with no background static at all.  'ABITHW part 2' is the same, the audio is breathtaking, the clarity and depth is stunning, so rare for a first pressing.  'Mother' plays equally as well, almost Mint again.  The sound is quite simply astounding and even during the quiet sections there is almost zero interference.  

Side Two has no lead in static which is incredible for a vinyl of this age.  'Goodbye Blue Sky' has no static just three very faint clicks near the beginning.  Apart from that, immaculate.  The remainder of the side is almost equal to that.  'Don't Leave Me Now' just has a couple of faint clicks and almost no other background noise which is amazing for such a quiet track.  'Goodbye Cruel World' finishes the side with Mint audio.  

'Hey You' plays as Mint with a real depth and clarity again.  'Is There Anybody Out There' plays almost perfectly apart from two clicks.  'Nobody Home' has stunning audio and this continues through to the end of the side.  'Comfortably Numb' plays fantastically well, one of best versions I have heard with no interference and amazing depth.  Sublime :-)

Side Four plays with fantastic audio again, absolutely Mint.  I honestly think it could not be bettered.  I heard no interference during the entire playback apart from the faintest of clicks towards the end 'The Trial'.  The final track 'Outside The Wall' plays with no static, sublime sound for a track so quiet.  How rare is that for this track?  Amazing!! 

In summary I cannot stress how good this first press is.  The audio is of the highest quality that would be extremely difficult to beat.   There is the odd faint click on 3/4 tracks but the whole LP is honestly so near to Mint.  The clarity and depth is something you only get with quality vinyl.  Many sellers would grade the vinyls as Mint on sight alone but as I fully play test my LPs it is only correct to give a complete and honest grading.  On many occasions though I do think I under-grade!  I would say 98% of this iconic LP plays as Mint and that is a bold statement to make!  This LP would impress the most ardent of Pink Floyd fans and I am sure will not disappoint :-)

Gatefold cover

The cream gatefold cover (with misaligned bricks as per the early presses) is in truly superb condition and is without doubt one of the best I have ever seen.  With almost no shelf wear what can I say?  The front cover is nigh on perfect and the edges and wide spine have no wear at all.  The opening edge shows no handling wear at all which is so rare for a first press.  There is the faintest of creasing that you can only see under a bright light and the bottom corner has a very small amount of pinching.  The back cover has one minor mark and those are the only negatives I can find!  This is quite possibly the best first press gatefold I have seen.  The inside (no band credits as per a first press) is in perfect condition with no marking.

Lyric sleeves

The lyric sleeves are in fantastic shape which is so rare as they so often have splits.  Not these two!  They do of course have the rounded corners with the 9 inch thumb notches and are in Mint condition.  How rare is that!

Labels

  The labels are also in stunning Mint condition.

Play tested on my Technics SL-J110R turntable system

Harvest SHDW 411 /  Matrix numbers A-2U / B-3U / A-3U / B-3U

Side One is Near Mint

Side Two is Near Mint

Side Three is Near Mint

Side Four is Mint-

The gatefold cover is Near Mint

The lyric inners are Mint

The labels are Mint 

Any questions please feel free to ask

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