Sold Date: September 8, 2022
Start Date: September 1, 2022
Final Price: $19.50 (USD)
Bid Count: 13
Seller Feedback: 1113
Buyer Feedback: 0

Artist: Van Halen Album: Fair Warning Label: Warner, HS 3540, Specialty Pressing. Side one runout: SH 1-3540 E1.  "EDP" inside a circle. E A S T embossed around center hole. 
Vinyl:     Visual grade, under strong halogen lighting (see grading criteria below): EX Cover:   VG+ (depending on how you view ink on a cover. VG+ all the way without the ink). A few creases noticeable under lighting, corners dinged and a little fuzzy, one worse than the others. Spine strong but some lettering not legible. "Van Halen Fair Warning" is 100 percent legible. "50 c" written in ink on front in smallish letters. Overall the cover is very strong and the artwork is clean minus the ink. With original innersleeve, one side has a split, another side has become separated but for 2 or 3 inches, artwork clean with only very minor creasing.
As for this playtest grade... I love it when I receive a great used record in the mail. I take plenty of chances when buying used vinyl here on eBay or elsewhere. It's part of the game. I love it.  But what I want to do here is listen to an album in its entirety, take notes, and pass the info on at auction, so you know what you are getting to the best of my playtest note taking abilities. Note that my official grading is VISUAL. Yes, visual is subjective, but playtest grading is even more subjective, so I do not want my playtest grades to be my ultimate grading. Also note that I am taking the time to let you know what you MIGHT HEAR on YOUR system, by relaying what I hear on mine. All systems are different. Some calibrated correctly, others...what does calibrated correctly mean? And that's ok. To each their own. Do it your way and enjoy the music. I  calibrate my turntable properly for the best playback and to protect the vinyl. But anyway, if you want to know what you are getting on a little more detailed level, even if it is a record that isn't in that great of shape, I am hoping to do you that service. I have played this record from beginning to end and taken notes along the way.
My setup: It isn't in the high-end stratosphere by any means, in fact it borders on entry level in some ways, but as far as good, solid playback, and maybe just as important here, protecting vinyl (properly weighted tone-arm, for instance), I think I have all of that.
Turntable: Music Hall, 2.2, wood finish. Cartridge/stylus: Audio-Technica VM540ML/H (headshell/Cartridge Combo Kit. AT-HS10BK universal 1/2"-mount headhshell} Phono Preamp: Pro-Ject / Tube Box S2 Phono Preamp Speakers: Boston Acoustics Large Bookshelf, CR85 Receiver: My old workhorse Denon from back in the day, AVR-1801
*****Play test notes:
Overall: I don't detect groovewear/stylus damage to vinyl. NO SKIPS. Mostly there is some crackling, especially and pretty much exclusively in the quieter passages and in between tracks, side lead-in/out, etc. Very little actual popping throughout. Literally just a few in all, that were louder than the music etc. At no time does any crackling/ticks/pops interfere with the music in my opinion. This is a great mix and this copy sounds fantastic with some minor audio blemishes, mostly between tracks and in some quieter passages. This is a great sounding copy! It rocks! Crank it! My favorite Van Halen album!!!!!
Detailed:  Track 1 - Some crackling lead-in and in quieter passages at beginning and quite a bit of crackling at end/fade-out.             2 - Any crackling mostly calms completely as soon as track starts. Very light crackling near the end in quieter "prom queen" passage. light crackling in between tracks            3 - crackling gone when track starts.   fair amount of crackling between and leading into track 4            4 - some crackling at beginning quiet passage       Side 2 Track 1 - Lighter crackling at quiet opening, lighter than side 1. Lighter crackling on side 2 than side 1, overall. light crackling between tracks           2 - Very light ticks, quiet opening. light crackling between tracks           3 - Crackle gone in opening/quiet part. light crackling between tracks           4 - Disappears when track starts.
Did I mention this copy rocks?!?!?!?


The packing material in pics is what I use to ship vinyl and/or Blu-Rays. I have very good feedback on packing material and care in packing, and with item descriptions. Always have, for 17 years and running, here on eBay. Bid with Confidence.
U.S. only.
VISUAL GRADING CRITERIA: MINT (M)

These are absolutely perfect in every way. For the most part extremely rare except for maybe a new and sealed copy that has been handled with utmost care from the factory until auction.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)
Almost mint but for maybe a couple/few scuffs and/or very thin, faint, hairline scratches, the likes of which might happen from sliding disc in/out. None of which should affect play. Shiny vinyl.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG++) or EXCELLENT (E)

Except for a couple extra minor things, would be near mint. 

Very Good + (VG+)
There will be more scuffs and hairline scratches or even larger scratches, but usually should not be able to be felt with the fingernail. For the most part these blemishes should not affect play or detract from the music, though upon playback there might (or might not) be some background noise. This is where the majority of the bargains out there can be found. Upon visual inspection, must look as if it will playback fine, with not much noise distraction, and though there is a good chance will not play like an EX/NM or above record might, some certainly do. Most vinyl lovers will be happy with a VG+ visual grading.

Very Good (VG) A respectable copy that will be enjoyable to listen to, usually no skips just by looking visually, but not close to a perfect copy. Nothing that, upon visual inspection, looks anything near to something that might damage a needle/stylus.

Good (G),
Good Plus (G+)
or Very Good Minus (VG?)
Significant wear is visible but that doesn't always mean it will be a mess upon playback. There should still not be any bad scratches that can be obviously felt with the fingernall. May or may not be some skips strictly from a visual grade. Most visual grades that might obviously have a skip or two will certainly be noted, and more than likely would be graded as POOR, which I will never purposely try to sell here on eBay.