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Queen : A Night At The Opera 2/3

This very early pressing plays to a fantastic standard and as always I have listened to every second so as to provide a 'complete' grading.  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is stunning and it is practically Mint on both sides.  'Bohemian Rhapsody' just has 3/4 light ticks near the end but they are quiet and the rest of this classic is phenomenal and easily one of the best versions I have ever heard!  Remarkably 'Seaside Rendezvous' has no inner groove distortion and of 'The Prophet's Song' and 'Love Of My Life' play with amazing sonic quality throughout, just like all the other tracks!  This is in my opinion a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic i.e. it would be nigh on impossible to improve upon this audio.  The playback is so clean and precise and that is very much in evidence during the first intro on 'Death On Two Legs'.  A STUNNING album in every way.

Not only that but the embossed gatefold is very possibly the finest I have ever seen, it is just so clean and white!  There is no obvious shelf wear and is not too far off Mint if I am honest.  The original picture inner is perfect!  It has no side splits (not even on the bottom edge!) and no marking, bends or creases.

Strictly speaking this is a second press as it has 2/3 matrix not the 2/2 one but they were certainly produced at a very similar time and it still has Blair's etched into the run out grooves as opposed to Mr. Blair's Cut which you find on later pressings.

EMTC 103 // YAX 5063-2 / YAX 5064-3 // PR 4 / GHG 1 // BLAIR'S etched on both run out grooves

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T4 end section Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Near Mint+

The picture inner is Mint-

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition with a superb glossy sheen and there are no scratches to be seen.  There are a couple of faint scuff marks on S1 with a little 'speckling' in the same area but this has no affect on the stunning audio.  Don't let it put you off as overall this is one very clean vinyl!  There are a couple of hairlines on S2 also and whilst there is some spindle wear the record must have only been played on 'high end' equipment as it still retains all of its original sonic quality.  The run out grooves are very clean, you can easily read the matrix info, and the labels are also in great shape with no marking or writing just some spindle wear as stated.

Play grading

The quiet piano intro on 'Death On Two Legs' for once plays with stunning clarity and as the Red Special comes in there is no let up in quality.  With only a couple of barely audible dust ticks this is a Mint- start for sure.  Freddie's opening vocal is faultless and it continues to play with a sonic quality that is straight from '75!  There is no interference of any kind, no ticks or clicks or pops and there is no background static either.  As good a version that you could wish for and it has lost none of its original menace or vitriol.  I'm tempted to grade the entire track as Mint but I will say Mint- to be on the safe side.

'Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon' provides further evidence of a vinyl that has been so well preserved and is 'as new' from the first note to the last.  Not one dust tick let alone anything else and Mint is very much deserved.

The classic 'I'm In Love With My Car' plays with immense power and depth throughout with no sign of any interference.  The audio definition is up there with the strongest I have ever heard.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound i.e. each note is so clear and precise and there is no distortion on the top end.  A sensational Mint version.

The electric piano intro on 'You're My Best Friend' is perfect and from that point on plays with wonderful quality.  Already I am finding it difficult to describe each track in an individual way such is the quality on each!  Suffice to say this is Mint from start to finish.  A rather impressive 2/3 press so far!

It's not often the acoustic intro on '39' plays with perfect precision but it certainly does here.  Brian's opening vocal is equally as good and it continues in the same manner.  The mid vocal 'section' is 'as new' and to the end I can find no negatives.  A special mention for the clarity and depth here - it is STUNNING and sounds like it has never been played before.  Even the brief 'silent 'section near the end has no 'background' and the final acoustic note is just as 'clean' also.  Another track Mint track in every sense.

'Sweet Lady' is so strong and powerful from the get go and this 'high end' quality is prevalent throughout.  There is no distortion and no 'background' at all plus another immaculate fade out.  Mint

As any audiophile will know 'Seaside Rendezvous' always has some inner groove distortion but the playback here is so 'clean' and in all honesty I don't think I've heard a better version.  There is no interference and the clarity is just exceptional.  In fact I would go so far as to say there is no distortion and I'm not sure I've ever said that before.  What a versions but I will grade as Mint- just to be cautious again :-)

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The 'wind' / acoutsic intro on 'The Prophet's Song' plays beautifully with no intrusion - just a handful of mega light dust ticks that you find on new vinyl let alone one that is 46 years old!  But you can hardly hear them!  The opening vocal sections are 'as new' there is no other way to describe them and the clarity and power of the audio is phenomenal.  This really is audio of the highest standard and so far there has literally been no intrusion.  The acapella 'Now I know/la la' section also plays with unbelievable quality and I did not detect a single dust tick!  I cannot emphasise how incredible the playback is - this sonic quality is so rarely found on this classic track and as Brian's classic 'sound' returns it continues to impress on every level.  The final vocal section has no interference and the acoustic finish has only a couple of light static ticks.  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- but I am sure many would omit the minus truth be told!

The timeless 'Love Of My Life' has an intro that is as close to perfect as is possible.  It has no background static and only one very light tick right at the start.  The first verse also plays with remarkable precision and it is the overall clarity of sound that really stands out here.  It truly is a beautiful version and every vocal and instrumental section plays so cleanly with no intrusion whatsoever.  Without doubt it is one of the finest versions I have ever listened to - the playback is spectacular to say the least.  Many would say Mint but again I will say Mint- as there are a couple of light ticks albeit insignificant.  As I have said before I'm not sure why I even mention them as they do not qualify as interference - they are barely audible and this is vinyl after all!  What a version - absolutely STUNNING!

'Good Company' more than keeps up the standard and from start to finish plays with sublime clarity and precision.  A couple of dust ticks maybe but no clicks, pops or static and Mint is a fair assessment of the audio.

The first verse on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is breathtaking!  It is so close to perfect with just one mega light tick but again there is no background static.  The clarity is immaculate and this is carried through into the second and third verse.  Once again I am pains not to repeat myself but so far there are just no faults.  Brian's solo is 'as new' and the 'operatic' section can be described in the same way.  There is no interference, no distortion on the top end and the clarity is second to none. The classic and dynamic 'heavy section' is sublime and plays with tremendous power and definition.  The quiet end section has just 3/4 light ticks at the beginning but the remainder has no 'background' at all.  In essence the vast majority of this classic is Mint but I will grade the end section as Near Mint- even though the ticks are quiet and non-intrusive.  A STUNNING version nevertheless that would be difficult to beat.  You would be hard pressed to find clarity and definition as good as this.

'God Save The Queen' ends the album in fine style with...no interference.  A Mint finish for sure.

In summary this album plays to a 'high end' standard with no interference.  It's not often you can say that for such an early pressing!  As stated there are 3/4 ticks at the end of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' but they are quiet and I still think this LP qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is so impressive and it has clearly not been over-played by the previous owner.  Yes I keep on about clarity but on this record it is quite simply outstanding on both sides.  This super 'clean' sound is so evident on 'Seaside Rendezvous' which is a genuine rarity but the other tracks also play with amazing sonic quality.  I don't think I've heard better versions of 'The Prophet's Song' and 'Love Of My Life' - they are stunning in every way!  As detailed below the cover is also in beautiful condition and it would extremely difficult to find a better early pressing than this.  It has the wow factor and I am sure the winning bidder will agree :-)

The Gatefold & Picture Inner

The embossed cover is without a doubt one of the most pristine examples I have ever seen and I have seen a lot!  It has no obvious shelf wear and must have been kept inside a pvc sleeve for most of its life as it has preserved its original colour so incredibly well.  The edges and wide spine have no marking/rubbing and all the corners are practically in perfect condition also - just one tiny rub on the bottom corner of the back cover by the opening edge, you have to look closely though!  The opening edge itself has no handling wear and the front cover is visually stunning to say the least.  It still has that original white 'look' with no marking, staining or fading at all and the back cover is also near perfect with just one very faint 'line' near the top edge and a couple of minor 'specks'.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate, 'as new' sums it up perfectly and I cannot stress just how visually stunning this cover is.  It is also still very strong and robust showing that it has hardly been handled down the years.   It is easily Near Mint if not better!
It could be argued that it is even rarer to find the picture inner (with three cut corners) in perfect condition with no bottom edge split.  This one is stunning with NO side splits, no creasing or marking and just one mega tiny rub on one of the corners.  Superb!
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

EMTC 103 // YAX 5063-2 / YAX 5064-3 // PR 4 / GHG 1 // BLAIR'S etched on both run out grooves

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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