Sold Date: April 30, 2017
Start Date: April 23, 2017
Final Price: £103.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 7
Seller Feedback: 1409
Buyer Feedback: 21

JONESY - NO ALTERNATIVE 

Lovely copy of this original 1972 prog rock "under the radar" first pressing, on the DAWN record label, DNLS 3042 

Jonesy was a relatively short-lived UK prog rock band and "Jonesy" was the band's first album release, which was not critically acclaimed until relatively recently...in other words it sold in very small quantities upon it's 1972 release and more recent praise for this album means that 1st pressings are now becoming highly sought after. The same story applies to many 60's and 70's bands - just think what they had to compete against : everything from the Beatles and Stones to the Floyd, Who, Kinks, Sabbath, Crimson...and of course a host of American bands - we were spoilt for choice! Some great guitar work on this vastly underrated album which is only now receiving the praise that it most certainly deserves.

 Matrix Numbers :

  Side 1 DNLS 3042 A - 4 G with stampers "A" and "1"   Side 2   DNLS 3042 B - 2 G with stampers "B" and "1" 

The condition of the vinyl is a strong excellent. Each side of the vinyl has retained most of it's original lacquer and sheen - a real gleamer! Under a bright light I could just make out a couple of wispy hairlines and paper scuffs but these are negligible, and on side 1 towards the end of the first track there is a light speck caught in the grooves (see photo) but this does not affect playback at all. I'm sure it can be removed.

Each label is excellent. All writing remains perfectly defined with no nicks or markings. There is a small area of slight colour fading on the side 2 label just to the right of the spindle hole and held under a bright light I could just make out a couple of very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label, but these are all very minor blemishes. 

The iconic (and quite unique) non-laminated gatefold sleeve is excellent. The top and bottom edges remain well defined barely any rubbing at all. Similarly, the spine remains rigid and completely void of any creasing with all writing perfectly legible and just a little scuffing on the corners. The opening edges are excellent with no fraying but there is 7cm of mild scuffing on the front opening edge at the bottom of that edge. There is also 2cm of mild scuffing on the bottom edge adjacent to the foot of the spine. The reverse side is near perfect as is the gatefold inner - no blemishes of note whatsoever. 

Finally, the quality of the audio is an overall excellent. Great tone and clarity with no distortion either at higher volume or on the higher frequencies. There is just a little background crackle at the beginning of each side and occasionally during the quieter moments/interludes but this barely affects the quality of play back and I'm sure a professional clean would go a long way to rectifying anyway. (Actually when I adjusted the weight on my stylus the mild crackle totally disappeared, proving that this is simply down to dust in the grooves resulting from 40+ years of storage!) A great listen with some brilliant guitar work - such an underrated band and album. Side 1 is excellent, side 2 is fabulous!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. No Alternative

2. Heaven

3. Mind of the Century

Side 2 :

1. 1958

2. Pollution

3. Ricochet

Comes in the original poly-lined inner with no tears or splits - just some age discolouration and a little creasing - and still fully functional.

In summary, a great first pressing copy of this totally underrated and almost forgotten 1972 UK prog/rock classic.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other listings for more 50's, 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. 

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class signed for  : UK £6.00, continental Europe £9, and Rest of the World £13. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.