The Who : Who's Next A2/B1 1st Press 1971 (Track Record)

This genuine first pressing plays to a superb standard with no interference.  No interference I repeat!  The clarity, definition and power of the audio is so impressive and apart from a minimal touch of distortion at the end of S1 the sonic quality is stunning throughout.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops, no underlying static - you cannot fault the audio and this very collectable album has been so well looked after over the last 50+ years.  The vinyl is also visually stunning and looks to be hardly played with no marking, groove wear and very little spindle wear.  Another FINAL UPGRADE first pressing.

The infamous cover is in excellent condition with only very minor wear and has no marking.  The original inner sleeve is also in great condition with no real wear.

It's easy to tell a first pressing.  The A1/B2 matrix is the first sign but the S1 song titles are on 3 lines and the S2 ones are on 2 lines as opposed to 4 and 3 on later pressings.  The 0871 inner (the actual release date of the album) is also very important.  Do not think the Headhunters inner belongs in a first pressing as it already states the album is available!

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

2408102   A // 1   1 1 6   MG 12888 (etched)

2408102   B // 2 ᐁ  420   1 2 7

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is a very strong Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex+
Visual grading

The vinyl is in fantastic condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen that belies its 50+ years.  There are no marks or scratches and only a handful of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  The vinyl is visually stunning and has obviously not been played very much judging by the audio and the minimal spindle wear.  The run out grooves are super clean as are the Track Record labels.  A superb record!

Play grading  

The classic intro on 'Baba O'Riley' plays to perfection with no intrusion whatsoever - the clarity is so good and for once there is no background static to be heard.  Daltrey's first vocal is equally as good and it continues to play with outstanding quality with a definition of sound that is so impressive.  The violin end section also plays to a sublime standard and again the clarity of sound is 'as new' I can confidently say.  This is unequivocally a Mint start to the album.  Wow!

The quiet intro on 'Bargain' is flawless and from then on there just are no negatives.  As per the first track no ticks, clicks or pops and no static either.  Just pure unadulterated Mint audio from the first groove to the last.  Already it is patently obvious this record has not been over-played.  You don't get 'high end' audio like this on a record that has been spun many times.  The instrumental end section provides ample evidence of this - the sound is so 'clean' and has lost none of its original sonic quality.

'Love Ain't For Keeping' plays to the same immaculate standard with no interference.  No need to elaborate this is Mint from start to finish.

I often find 'My Wife' has an almost 'muddy' type sound but I am pleased to say this version plays with great depth and clarity throughout.  There is no interference, no distortion and Mint is again deserved.

The entire piano/vocal intro on 'Song Is Over' plays with stunning precision and this standard is kept up as the volume increases.  There is one light static in the quieter mid section and there is just a minor touch of inner groove distortion - very minor in my opinion and totally non-intrusive, you obviously expect it with vinyl.  It still plays very clearly and again there are no clicks, pops or static plus the percussive finale plays to perfection.  Near Mint is an honest appraisal of the audio.

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The piano intro on 'Getting In Tune' again pays testament to how well this vinyl has been looked after and has no 'background' aside from a barely audible sound as the stylus runs over the grooves.  The first verse has only a couple of mega quiet dust ticks (there really is no need to mention them!) and thereafter plays with wonderful clarity and depth.  The vocals are so powerful and again the audio can correctly be described 'as new'.  There is no interference and I cannot overstate just how strong and clear the audio is - whilst it all plays with genuine quality the 'high octane' end section is absolutely stunning!  Mint-

'Going Mobile' plays with a sonic quality that could not be any better.  Every section plays with such precision and, as always, there is no interference from the first note to the last.  Another Mint track.

The acoustic intro on the classic 'Behind Blue Eyes' is faultless and the opening verses and chorus have not so much as a dust tick, the clarity is exceptional.  It continues to play beautifully with no interference.  The powerful mid section is just as impressive with no sign of any distortion and the final verse is perfect as is the fade out.  This is easily up there with the finest versions I have ever heard and is Mint in every single way.  What a version!

The intro on 'Won't Get Fooled Again' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of dust ticks and as Moon's drums kick in, closely followed by the rest of the gang, the audio is 'high end' for sure.  Daltrey's first vocal is faultless and it proceeds in the same way with no intrusion on the audio.  Every vocal and instrumental section plays to a sublime standard and there is no inner groove distortion at all.  The quieter passage towards the end plays so clearly with only a couple of insignificant static ticks (easily missed!) and the final section also plays with great quality.  Daltrey's scream has never sounded better!  A stunning Mint- version to end this classic album.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to a wonderful standard with no real interference.  There are no clicks or pops, no underlying static, and only a very minimal amount of distortion on the final track of S1, so minor it is hardly worth a mention.  In my educated opinion this is a FINAL UPGRADE version as you can hardly fault the sonic quality on either side.  The clarity, depth and and power of the audio is outstanding and will impress any avid collector.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The famous MacNeill cover is in excellent condition with hardly any shelf wear.  It is so often found in poor condition as it isn't laminated but this one has been very well preserved and has very much retained its original shape and strength.  The edges have hardly any wear, just a little towards the bottom right corner, and the spine is also in excellent order with only a few small compressions but it remains 100% legible and has no marking.  All corners are extremely clean with no real wear and the opening edge has no handling marks at all, it is just a little 'wavy' you could say.  The front cover has no marking and only a handful of very faint creases near the opening edge and bottom right that you can only see when you hold the cover at a certain angle.  The back cover is just as clean with only a couple of minor creases and some faint crease next to the spine which is common.  A fine example overall and rarely seen in this condition.

The original 'Plastic Bags...' poly-lined inner (correctly dated 0871) is in superb condition with no side splits or tears and only very minimal creasing and faint age related fading along the top edges.

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

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

2408102   A // 1   1 1 6   MG 12888 (etched)

2408102   B // 2 ᐁ  420   1 2 7

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 NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!