Gentle Giant : Acquiring The Taste 1Y2 / X2 1st Press

This highly collectable first pressing plays to an excellent standard and with only some light intermittent static.  The majority plays extremely well indeed.

A first press is denoted by the matrix numbers of course and by 'Vertigo' being above the spindle hole on the label.

The gatefold is in very good condition with only minor shelf wear and the 'swirl' inner is in superb order with no side splits.

6360041  1Y // 2▽ XX 11 4

6360041  X // 2▽ XX 2  11 5

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Track 1 Ex / Track 4 VG+)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / Track 7 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is a very strong VG+

The labels are Ex++

The original 'swirl' inner is Ex++

 Visual grading

  The vinyl retains a very healthy glossy sheen and whilst you can see it has been played a number of times judging by the spindle wear it is still visually in great condition.  There are no scratches and the only 'obvious' mark is a hairline scuff on S2 but it has no affect on the audio whatsoever.  Aside from that it is visually stunning with only a small number of very faint hairlines.  As stated there is some spindle wear although not an excessive amount and the 'swirl' labels are very clean as are the run out grooves.

Play grading

The intro on 'Pantagruel's Nativity' does have some light background static but the music still plays very clearly.  As the vocal begins there is less static and as the track progresses the audio is excellent.  The majority plays extremely well and the louder sections in particular are superb, there is just a little light static in the quieter sections.  There is just one click and a couple of light ticks on the fade out.  So yes there is some underlying intermittent static but overall it grades as Ex in my educated opinion.

'Edge Of Twilight' is very impressive for a relatively quiet track.  Any static that can be heard is kept to minimum and in the main it plays with great clarity and definition.  Many sections play superbly well.  There are no clicks, pops or crackle and is worthy of an Ex+ grade.

'The House, The Street, The Room' has minimal light static on the intro and plays very clearly indeed.  It then plays with very strong audio and the clarity is again very impressive.  The quiet beginning of the mid instrumental has very little 'background' and the powerful instrumental is stunning with no intrusion.  The audio has great depth and the bass is so strong - superb!  The final verse is nigh on perfect and the quiet end section also plays with great clarity.  I will grade as Ex+ overall but there are many Near Mint sections it has to be said.

The instrumental 'Acquiring The Taste' has no clicks or pops but does have some static and a couple of ticks.  It is not very intrusive and the music is still clear and strong.  I would grade this as VG+

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'Wreck' on S2 has only light static on the quiet intro and as the first verse begins the playback is stunning.  Wonderful power and definition.  The 'heyeheh' verses are fantastic!  There is some light static in the quieter moments but again it is not intrusive and again no clicks or pops.  Ex+ is a fair assessment.

As is obligatory now 'The Moon Is Down' has light static on the intro but once the vocal comes in the audio cannot really be faulted.  The playback is so 'clean' and the only 'background' is a couple of light ticks.  The mid instrumental is so strong and has hardly any static.  The quiet end section has perhaps a little more static although the end of the piano piece is very 'clean'.  Another Ex+ track but again many sections play to a higher standard.

'Black Cat' has very little static on the intro and thereafter plays with a great depth and warmth and no intrusion.  The 'strings' instrumental could hardly play any better the clarity is exceptional and the remainder of the track is also of a 'high end' standard.  A couple of light ticks but no clicks or pops and again Ex+ is more than deserved.  The fade out by the way plays nigh on perfectly.

'Plain Truth' has a stunning intro with barely any 'background' and it continues in much the same way as the first verse begins.  The clarity and power is prevalent throughout and this is a stunning version of this final track.  The quiet mid section has very little 'background' and for a vinyl of this age the clarity is very impressive.  A couple of light ticks yes but nothing that really stands out.  As this section build the audio is 'as new' and the final verses are without fault and the quieter end section also plays with great clarity.  A wonderful Near Mint- finish to this fine album.

In summary this first pressing plays with excellent audio and whilst there is some light static here and there it is not intrusive in my opinion.  There is only one obvious click and it has to be said that the clarity overall is very impressive.  It may not be of the same audio standard as compared to their debut album that I am also selling but it is nonetheless a superb listen that will not disappoint.  The iconic gatefold is also in excellent shape with only minor shelf wear.

The Gatefold

This iconic gatefold is in very good condition overall but does have a little shelf wear.  The top edges have very little rubbing but there is a bit more on the bottom edges.  There is also a little corner wear and whilst the wide spine remains strong there is a name written near the top and 'Gentle Giant' in the middle.  I have had this album for about six months now and have only just noticed it!  The opening edge has only minimal feathering on one edge.  The front cover is very clean with just one minor scuff and a little ringwear as is common.  The back cover is in superb shape with only one small mark and the inside of the gatefold is very clean also with only some very minor 'white' spotting.  This isn't a perfect cover but it remains strong and robust and has not been handled too much in my opinion.

The Labels

The 'Vertigo' labels are in great condition with no marking or writing and only some spindle wear as stated.

The 'Swirl' Inner

The original poly-lined 'swirl' inner is in superb order with no side splits, barely any marking and just the one corner crease.  A fine example of this iconic inner.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

6360041  1Y // 2▽ XX 11 4

6360041  X // 2▽ XX 2  11 5

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

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LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

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