Sold Date: June 7, 2015
Start Date: May 28, 2015
Final Price: £21.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 14
Seller Feedback: 2476
Buyer Feedback: 94

Hello and welcome to my record auctions! This auction is for Tom Waits' superb "The Heart Of Saturday Night" LP on the Asylum Records label AS 53 035. Matrix marks A3/B3, German (Alsdorf) Pressing. "STRAWBERRY" stamped in dead wax indicating record was cut/mastered at the famous Strawberry Studios.

Vinyl grading is Mint/Near Mint according to the Record Collector Grading System. It appears unplayed prior to my test plays. A SUPERB copy.

Test played superbly with fantastic audio and very low overall background noise.

The sleeve is in SUPERB overall condition as it has been stored in a protective plastic outer sleeve.

Please see below for further details of my record cleaning and grading process, international and combined postage rates and detailed photos.

I am a lifelong record collector selling records from my personal vinyl collection. I have been buying vinyl since the early 1970s. Most records have been only lightly played on high quality turntables as I often taped them for my own personal use when new and then CD came along! As a result, the records have been extremely well looked after.

My records are all original pressings (1st, 2nd and subsequent) from the 60s/70s/80s/90s. They are not modern re-issues which in my opinion often sound second rate compared to the original analogue pressings. To truly appreciate the magic of vinyl you need to seek out the originals from the heyday of the LP record :-) When I use the term "original" in my listing titles it is purely to differentiate them from the ever increasing amount of modern re-issues. "Original" does not necessarily mean a first pressing - please read my listing details in bold above for full information.

When I have been playing my records for grading purposes I have been staggered with the sound quality compared to digital. Vinyl often sounds superior to my ears, more full bodied with superior dynamic range and greater impact. I also think the analogue mastering for many original records was probably better than their CD or download equivalent or maybe master tapes deteriorated prior to digital versions being mastered. I'd love to keep all my records but I don't have the space these days so I need to reduce my collection somewhat before it is forced on me!

Please read the description in bold above for vinyl condition (as per the Record Collector Grading System). My records are supplied beautifully clean because they have received proper storage and care. All my records have been cleaned using high quality Record Cleaning Machines (either a £3,000 Keith Monks Omni VII RCM or a Moth Pro Mk II RCM) and the best record cleaning solutions such as "Art Du Son". Not only does this wet clean/vacuuming process remove any dust and surface marks, it also significantly reduces background noise and many argue that the lower noise floor results in opening up of the sound and improved fidelity. Following cleaning, records are placed in new inner sleeves and the sleeve is given a new plastic outer protective cover.

The covers vary in condition but most are excellent just showing the usual signs of storage. Most have been stored in plastic protective covers. I try my utmost to provide accurate descriptions, test playing all records. The quality of my records is reflected in the excellent feedback I have received from satisfied buyers, many of whom come back for more. I provide detailed photographs to illustrate the quality.

A word about hairline marks. It is almost impossible to find any non-sealed record without any hairline marks - many had them from new, particularly if sold with cardboard inner sleeves. They are a result of storage and use and have little impact on sound quality. Likewise, very few original vinyl records lie totally flat. As for background noise, all records will have some background noise which varies wildly and often reflects the very variable pressing quality. I only draw attention to marks, warping or background noise in my listings if I consider them significant.

Records are test played on superb Rega or Technics turntables equipped with Ortofon or Denon cartridges. Replay is through NJC Reference Series phono stages and pre-amplifiers to revealing studio monitors or professional Sennheiser headphones. This enables me to undertake careful evaluation of the record quality and grade accurately. I take my grading very seriously and often provide a photograph of the grading test play.

I dispatch worldwide in reinforced heavy duty LP mailers with cardboard reinforcements either side. I also use heavy duty packaging tape.

I list albums in batches of 50 to 100 and have many other auctions to come so please save me as a favourite seller. Typical postage prices as follows and combined postage with other albums saves money (a double album counts as 2 records):

UK: 1 record £3.75, 2 records £4.50, 3 records £5.

EU: 1 record £5.75, 2 records £7, 3 records £8.00.

International: 1 record £8.75, 2 records £10.50, 3 records £12.

Some countries may require International Signed For so please ask.

Please see my feedback, particularly on other records I have sold, and thanks for looking.