I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

Budgie : In For The Kill! A1/B1 1st Press 1974

This first pressing plays with exceptional quality with only very minimal interference - a couple of clicks on S1 (one quiet!) and a little static on S2 during one of the quieter sections.  Aside from that it plays incredibly well with stunning power and depth and great clarity also.  The vinyl is visually very impressive with only some faint hairlines.

The laminated G & L cover is in superb condition with barely any wear and the EMI inner has only a little creasing.

This first pressing has the rainbow MCA labels and an A1/B1 matrix.

MCF 2546 // A - 1 / B - 1 // GL 2 / RG 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint / T4 Ex+)

The audio on S3 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint / T3 VG+ during the brief quieter section)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Ex+

The original EMI inner is Ex
Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a very strong glossy sheen and has no scratches.  Only under a strong bright light can you see some faint sleeve removal hairlines and a couple of very small minor blemishes on S2 that have no affect on the superb audio.  The run out grooves are very clean and the labels only have a little spindle wear and no marking.

Play grading  

The intro on 'In For The Kill' plays with outstanding clarity, just a couple of barely audible dust ticks, and this is soon followed by the first riff and vocal and they both play perfectly.  I now play my records on a Rega P2 and the depth of the audio is certainly enhanced by this system.  It continues in the same precise way and the mid vocal / instrumental could not play any better and the deep rich tone of the audio is just stunning.  The final riff section / vocal plays to the same high end standard although I will grade as Mint- as there are a couple of minor static ticks on the fade out!

The absolute classic 'Crash Course In Brain Surgery' rocks loud and true from the get go with only one mega light tick on the intro.  Shelley's opening vocal is faultless and from then on plays with infinite power and precision through every section.  I think this deserves a Mint grading - blast it as loud as you can!

The acoustic 'Wondering What Everyone Knows' has one static on the first vocal and then plays beautifully with no interference as such.  A couple more light ticks and and 2/3 on the fade out so I will grade as Near Mint even though the majority is stronger than that.

The quiet intro on 'Zoom Club' has only the bare minimum of light static which is of course totally non-intrusive.  I only mention it to be 'complete' with my grading, it is very very quiet!  As the volume picks up the audio is close to perfect but there is one dull click just before Shelley's vocal comes in.  The first verse and chorus are indeed perfect and the classic instrumental with Bourge doing his usual stunning work plus great accompaniment from Shelley and Boot is 'as new' I cannot describe it any other way.  The sonic quality has not deteriorated and the final vocal section is equally as strong.  The classic ending is again so close to perfect but does have another click right at the end.  A little frustrating but this still has to grade as Ex+ even if 98 to 99% plays perfectly!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The intro on 'Hammer And Tongs' is so quiet and yet the playback is superb with no intrusion, not sure I've heard better.  As the volume increases the quality does not let up and the first vocal has no background either.  It continues to play with sublime quality and the next very quiet passage plays so well with only the lightest of background static and a couple of minor static ticks.  The end section is more or less perfect and the fade out has only very light static towards the end. A Near Mint version for sure.

The intro on 'Running From My Soul' is 'as new' and the first vocal from Shelley is equally as good.  It continues to play with exceptional quality with no intrusion and the quieter mid-section is a prime example of that.  The rest of the track plays so well also and this has to grade as Mint- there are no negatives.

The percussive intro on 'Running From My Soul' has no background and neither does the opening vocal.  From then on there is much to admire!  The sonic quality is so strong and there is no inner groove distortion the further you progress into it.  The quieter section has a little static and some light ticks but they are not that intrusive and as it builds out of this section the audio is STUNNING!  This instrumental section is flawless as is the final vocal has no interference and the percussive end section is 'as new' as simple as that.  I will grade that quieter passage as VG+ but the rest does indeed play with stunning Mint- quality.

In summary this first pressing plays with superb audio across both sides with only very minimal intrusion.  A couple of clicks during 'Zoom Club' (one of them rather quiet!) and some static during the quieter section on 'Running From My Soul' that's about it.  The clarity of sound throughout is stunning and there is no faulting the power and depth of the audio, this is clearly a record that has been well looked after.  A fine addition to any collection.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in superb condition with no obvious wear.  The edges and thin have no marking / rubbing and the corners are in great shape plus the opening edge has only the bare minimum of handling wear.  The front cover is near perfect with only a handful of small laminate creases next to the spine as is common and the back cover is just as impressive with just one minor crease bottom left and a touch of faint ringwear.  There is no laminate damage on either side and has obviously not been handled very much.  A stunning example.

The original EMI inner is in excellent order with no side splits, hardly any marking and only a little creasing mainly around the top edges.

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

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

MCF 2546 // A - 1 / B - 1 // GL 2 / RG 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

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 MAY 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!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!