Sold Date: October 11, 2015
Start Date: October 1, 2015
Final Price: £90.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 23
Seller Feedback: 2743
Buyer Feedback: 11

Hello and welcome to my record auctions! Please read on for full details of the records I am selling which are from my own collection, cleaned using professional record cleaning machines, given new inners and protective covers and properly packed for safe, secure shipping all over the world. If you just want to skip to the details about this particular record, see the text in red below and check out the photos above by enlarging and scrolling through.

I am a lifelong record collector selling records from my own personal vinyl collection, accumulated since the early 1970s. Most records have been only been played on high quality turntables such as Linn, Rega, etc. I often taped them for my own personal use when new, then CD came along and, as a result, most records have only seen occasional play and 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 the specific listing details in red below 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 red below 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 sleeves 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.

This auction is for Metallica's superb "Metallica" (The Black Album) Double LP on the Vertigo Records label 510 027-1. Matrix marks A-2U/B-2U/A-1U/B-1U, FIRST Pressing. "STIRLING" stamped in dead wax indicating record was cut/mastered at the famous Stirling Studios.

Vinyl grading is Near Mint according to the Record Collector Grading System. It appears barely, if at all, played prior to my test plays. A SUPERB copy.

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

The sleeve and inners are in SUPERB overall condition as it has been stored in a plastic protective cover - see photos.

YOU WON'T FIND A BETTER COPY OF THIS CLASSIC ALBUM!!!!

Please take the time to click on the MAIN PHOTO above to enlarge and then scroll through the photos to check out the quality of this LP. Pictures speak more than a thousand words!

Please see my feedback, particularly on other records I have sold, and thanks for looking. I'm happy to answer any questions.

I dispatch worldwide in reinforced heavy duty LP mailers with cardboard reinforcements either side. I also use heavy duty packaging tape. I separate the LP from the sleeve when packing to preclude any damage to the sleeve in transit. Such care and attention to packing is normally demanded by the discerning record collector.

I tend to 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 £9.50, 2 records £11.50, 3 records £13.

Some countries may require tracked shipping (or indeed the buyer may want it for security) so please ask. Italy always requires tracked shipping.