Artist

Album

Label

Jet Records

Catalog No.

QZ 38490

Country of Origin

CDN

Attributes

Stock vinyl.

 

Includes original inner-sleeve with lyrics & illustrations.

 

Matrix / Suffix numbers are “AL-38490-1A-2HZ:” and

“BL-38490-1A-2HZ:”

 

No inserts.

:

Side A: NM+

Side B: NM+

 

Please see the vinyl grading chart below for specific rating criteria & definitions.

Cover Condition

NM-

 

Negligible ring impression.

Very minor ring wear.

Negligible edge wear.

No splits or tape repairs.

No hole-punch or cut corners.

Bright & shiny front & back.

Year

1983

Type

12 inch - 33 1/3

STEREO

Side A Tracks

 

(#) =  number of

clicks on track

A1. Secret Messages (0)

A2. Loser Gone Wild (0)

A3. Bluebird (0)

A4. Take Me On and On (0)

 

Side B Tracks

 

(#) =  number of

clicks on track

B1. Four Little Diamonds (0)

B2. Stranger (0)

B3. Danger Ahead (0)

B4. Letter From Spain (0)

B5. Train Of Gold (0)

B6. Rock ‘n’ Roll Is King (0)

Vinyl Cleaning

This record has been wet-cleaned and non-air dried using a two-stage cleaning cycle. Cleaning a record in this manner substantially improves the sound quality. Typically, the older the album the more significant the improvement. The improvement can be as great as an order of magnitude.

Grading Method

This record has been play-graded using a Mission 775S turntable with a Grado custom-designed cartridge, a Technics SU-7700 Integrated Amplifier and Celestion Ditton 15 Studio Monitor speakers or Sennheiser HD580 headphones.

Imperfections Evaluation:

None of the tracks on this album have any clicks!

 

The vinyl quality of the record after cleaning is significantly better than average for the time. From a tics perspective, after using my anti-static gun and playing the album on an Angstrom anti-static mat, I only heard about 2 or 3 singular tics total (B4). The residual noise level is very low. At no time can the residual noise be heard even in the very quietest sections of music. No “old combs” were used in the vinyl of this record. J

 

The cleaned vinyl has a very high lustre.

 

Under average room lighting conditions, the record appears to be pristine with no visible imperfections.

 

Visually, under a bright light, the vinyl is nearly pristine. It has one short and very fine superficial hairline imperfections, a couple very light surface-only paper and no surface markings from long-term storage in the inner-sleeve.  None of these visual imperfections have any impact on the sound quality of the record other than those noted in the associated grading above. Most of the imperfections are attributable to taking the record in and out of the inner-sleeve over the years.

 

The stylus on the Mission turntable tracks at a measured 1.25 grams.

 

The significant advantage of play-grading to the Buyer is that it leaves no doubt as to whether or not a surface mark impairs the sound quality of the record when played. From the detailed information provided it is hoped that you can “play the record in your ‘head” and accurately set your expectations.

Surface Noise Evaluation:

Listening Volume: 5.2/10 on a 70watt amplifier.

Listening Environment: Speakers

Recording Levels: Normal

 

Negligible    (“barely” audible only between tracks and during silent/near silent intervals)

Minimal         (above plus lead in/out)

Very Minor     (above plus quietest sections of a few tracks)

Minor            (above plus more quiet sections of tracks)

Average        (above plus audible during most tracks but not so distracting as to overshadow the performance)

Significant     (above plus distracting for some)

Prevalent      (above plus distracting for most)

 

Assessment: The surface noise at this listening level was not an issue whatsoever. The album can be played ABSOLUTELY S LOUD as you wish with no displeasure.

Dynamics & Clarity:

Superior        (Like a Direct Metal Master or Digital recording.)

Excellent+   (A very high quality pressing with no discernible flaws – audibly well above the norm.)

Very Good     (Still above average pressing but not quite up to the excellent mark.)

Average        (Just that an “average” pressing. Not at all displeasing – just average)

Ok               (Album has been played a lot with a corresponding loss of dynamic range and clarity. Still not displeasing to the ear though.)

Source Limitation      (A special qualifier for use when the album has been recorded from older master tapes and as such some minor limitations of the original recording techniques can be heard. It is likely that all albums with this catalogue number exhibit this characteristic.)

“Listenability” Rating:

Awesome+   [no worries of any kind – a no risk purchase]

Terrific          [a few scattered clicks, a bit of negligible surface noise but vinyl is vinyl – well above average for used vinyl]

Great            [more clicks, some tics, a bit of  very minor surface noise, nothing really displeasing to the ear or overshadowing the performance – an average used vinyl record]

All Right        [clicks are more frequent and surface noise is becoming a factor – some might say a bit displeasing. An often played used vinyl record]

OK               [clicks and/or surface noise are factors - the LP is a classic and not very common so some deficiencies are acceptable for the price]

Serviceable    [the LP is displeasing to listen to but it still plays fine with no skips – the LP is rare and of value to a  collection until an upgrade becomes available/affordable]

Shipping

*         All my shipping costs are actual – no handling fee.

*         I offer combined shipping on multiple purchases.

*         I will provide shipping quotes prior to purchasing multiple items (auctions and/or fixed price) if requested.

*         Albums are shipped in professional mailers with fillers (as required).

*         Vinyl is packed outside of the cover to avoid seam splits in transit.

*         Each album is shipped inside a clear re-sealable outer-sleeve to help you protect your investment

U.S. Shipping Changes

*         As of February 2013 the Small Packet USA – Surface service is no longer available via Canada Post. This was the most economical shipping service to the USA.

*         The ‘new’ most economical shipping service for up to 3 records is Small Packet USA – Air. For shipping a single record with this service the price increase is approximately $1.83. The “good” news is the estimated delivery time as compared to the discontinued service is reduced from 12 <> 16 business days to 5 <> 8 business days.

*         With the Small Packet USA – Air service 3 records can be shipped to the USA for the same price as 2 records. If you want to get the best shipping cost/album this is the way to go.

 

International Shipping

Time Frames

*         Please be advised before purchase that “by surface” shipments to the UK and Europe can take between 4 and 6 weeks to arrive at their destination.

*         “By surface” shipments to Australia may take up to 9 weeks to reach their destination.

*         None of my international shipments to date have been “lost in transit”

Consideration

*         Grading is subjective. But ONLY BY PLAY GRADING can the surface noise and actual sound quality (sonics) of a record be accurately evaluated.

*         I provide the most detailed information that I can in order that you can make an informed decision on your purchase. It is my intention that by reading the grading information you should be able to “play” the record in your head.

*         Please buy with the confidence that I stand by my grading. If after receiving your item there is an issue of any kind please contact me. I will resolve whatever the problem may be to your satisfaction. The information is presented in good faith.

My $.02c:

 

 

 

TWITTER: @ValleyVinyl

The cleaned album has exceptional dynamic range and superb sonics. (my highest rating).

 

Crystal clear and very, very clean. (also my highest rating).

 

A strong release with a fully-matured ELO sound. This is one group whose musical evolution can be easily followed through their releases. If you enjoy a bit less commercial and a more technical style Prog-Rock check out their earlier releases.

 

“Secret Messages, as its title suggests, was littered with hidden messages in the form of backmasking, some obvious and others less so. This was Jeff Lynne's second tongue-in-cheek response to allegations of Satanic messages in earlier Electric Light Orchestra LPs by Christian fundamentalists which led up to early 1980s American congressional hearings (a similar response had been made by Lynne on the Face the Music album, during the intro to the "Fire On High" track). In Britain, the cover of Secret Messages has a mock warning to youth about the hidden messages. Word of the album's impending release in the United States caused enough of a furor to cause CBS Records to delete the cover blurb there.

 Louis Clark returned to conduct the strings once more and the violinist Mik Kaminski appeared on an ELO recording for the first time since Out of the Blue in 1977, playing a violin solo on the track "Rock 'n' Roll Is King". On completion of this album, Lynne dismissed bass guitarist Groucutt, who later sued for alleged lost royalties and received a settlement out of court.

n   Excerpt from Wikipedia

Play Safe … Buy Play Graded!

 

Audibly, and very nearly visually FLAWLESS.

 

Template version: 04.07.13

         Please take a minute to check out our other collectibles

            at . (Institute for Memory Preservations,

                  Restoration and Entertainment Sacrarium)

 

Definitions

“Click” vs. “Pop”

A “click” is something that you hear and may be of varying loudness whereas a “pop” is something that you feel and variances in loudness just don't matter.

“Scratch”?

A “scratch” is a loud “click” or a “pop” that is heard (or felt) on consecutive revolutions of the record and the loudness does not decrease for multiple revolutions.

“Tic”?

A “tic” is audible, like a “click”, but its loudness is less than the loudness of the section of music in which it occurs. “Tics” don't count as “clicks”.

Grading Approach

All methods of vinyl grading are subjective.

A record can play significantly better than it visually appears. Likewise a seemingly visually NM record can play significantly worse than it appears. Most often it is the latter case that prevails and is the main reason that individuals are reluctant to purchase albums on line.

Although play grading does not eliminate the ‘subjective’ nature of the grading itself, it is a significantly better method of determining a record’s actual quality (and value).

Wherever there is a discrepancy between the visual grade and the play grade the play graded result will supersede the visual graded result.

Grade

Description

(The following is based on the Goldmine standard but enhanced for play grading so that rating can be more qualitative as opposed to being strictly subjective)

Mint (M)

Vinyl:   Perfect! This record looks like it has just left the manufacturer, with NO flaws what so ever. It looks as though it had never been handled. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains. Audibly, there will be no surface noise, no clicks and no pops.

Cover: No stickers, address labels, writing on the covers or labels unless placed there by the record company. No tears or seam splits. No wear to the cover period!

Near Mint (NM)

Vinyl:   This record appears virtually flawless. A very minor scuff and very little else can appear on the vinyl. It should play without any noise over the flaw. The flaw is very hard to see. Audibly, the surface noise will be barely noticeable, no clicks, no pops and no scratches.

Cover: The cover looks as close to perfect with only minor signs of wear and or age. Minor impressions to the cover (due to the outer edge of the vinyl resting inside) may be acceptable; however the artwork is to be as close to perfect as can be. No ring ware.

Excellent (EX)

Vinyl:   Minor scuffs which are only slightly visible. There may be more than a few scuffs and NO Scratches. Audibly the surface noise will be very minimal but audible and primarily a function of the age of the album. There may be up to 3 clicks per side. There will be no pops and no scratches.

Cover: Artwork is still as close to perfect as can be. Some impression to the cover (minor outer ring wear) but no ink wear! Some slight creases to the corners, but not wrinkled and obtrusive to the eye. The corners can show white (where the artwork pasted slick was) meaning, slight wear. No seam splits or writing on the cover or taped repairs can make this grade

Very Good Plus (VG+)

Vinyl:   Record shows wear, surface scuffs. The vinyl still has a great luster, but the flaws will be noticeable to the naked eye. If the flaws don't cause significant surface noise, the vinyl can still make the VG+ grade. Audibly the surface noise will be higher than an EX record but not so high as to be distracting to the listener. There may be 6 or less clicks per side. There will be no pops and no scratches.

Cover:  A virtually clean cover, but may have small writing on it. The artwork looks clean with slightly more aging. The back of the cover usually gives away the age of the cover. Flat white paper will be somewhat yellow yet no stains or mildew from water damage. Some minor wear to the seams or spine, but no tears or holes popping through. The album may have a purposeful circular hole punched in it but the hole can not disfigure the artwork. The ring wear will be more noticeable than EX but will not form a complete circle. The corners will be slightly dog eared yet no crackly bends, defacing the artwork. In essence, a VG+ cover should have no more than 3 flaws mentioned.

Very Good (VG)

Vinyl:   This record is a record that is good enough. They are not really going to look very good, but it will STILL play very good. A VG record will appear to have been played but still have some luster. Audibly the surface noise will be higher than a VG+ record and may at times be somewhat distracting to the listener. There may be 9 or less clicks per side. There will be no pops and no scratches.

Cover: There will be more ring wear, where the ink has begun to wear off. The ring wear may form a complete circle giving the cover a look of snow falling. If the artwork looks snowy all over, it is less than VG condition. There may be some writing on the cover (still, no Large letters in magic marker). It will look aged and more yellowish due to contamination's in the air (sometimes looking like cigarette smoke). Still it should be decent.

Good (G)

Vinyl:   A Good record will look very well played, dull, grayish and possibly abused. However a Good record should still play. Audibly, it will have distracting surface noise, such as crackle that may be continuous or some hiss. The record will also have some loss of dynamics caused from grooves being worn. It should play without any skips or any obtrusively loud pops or repeated clicks, caused by deep scratches. Good means that it will play with some form of decency, so one can still enjoy the music even though you can still hear noise caused from the wear.

Cover: A Good cover will have just about everything wrong with it. It will have seam splits (possibly taped repaired, but only with scotch tape. No duct tape or masking tape repairs. These are big turn offs. May have magic marker writing on the cover but still if they are in huge letters, it is a big turn off. In essence, the cover will look virtually trashed, but some artwork will still be noticed. If the artwork is worn, it is POOR and the cover is worthless.

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