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The Who : Who's Next A1/B2 1st Press 1971 (Track Record)

This genuine first pressing plays with incredible clarity, depth and power on both sides with NO interference.  No clicks or pops, no background static not even a single light tick!  The clarity is quite simply on another level and clearly this album qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE classic.  I have sold a few of these down the years but never one as STUNNING as this!  The sonic quality is 'as new' and there is also no inner groove distortion at the end of each side.  This vinyl is visually stunning and has clearly hardly been played based on the audio and the minimal spindle wear.  Audio does not get any better than this!

The infamous cover does have a little shelf wear but there is nothing that really stands out and the original inner sleeve is in great condition with just one small side split.

A first pressing has the A1/B2 matrix and 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.  According to Discogs there are three variations of the inner sleeve - 0871, 0771 and 0571.  However, this one is dated 0371.  I see no reason why earlier ones could not have been used if they were already there in the factory?  By the way don't think the Headhunters inner is a first press one as it already states the album is available!

2408102   A // 1   1 1 1 8   MG 12888 (etched)

2408102   B // 2 ᐁ  420   1 2 6

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is VG++

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex
Visual description
The vinyl is in beautiful condition with an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and as you would expect there are no marks or scratches.  Only under a strong light can I detect a small number of ultra faint sleeve removal hairlines and you would be forgiven for thinking this vinyl was brand new!  The run out grooves are super clean and the Track Record labels are also in superb condition.  S2 has barely any spindle wear and S1 just a little more.  A stunning example!
Play grading  

The run in on S1 has no background so you just know the classic intro on 'Baba O'Riley' is going to play well and it does not disappoint!  It is 'as new' with not even a dust tick and Daltrey's first vocal is just as good.  It continues to play with outstanding quality and the audio has real depth to it.  The playback is so strong and deep and already you can tell this vinyl has not been played very much.  Every vocal and instrumental section is stunning and the iconic violin section plays to the highest standard possible.  What a version!  Without doubt a Mint start to the album.

With complete silence in the dead wax the quiet intro on 'Bargain' has no interference and from then on plays with a clarity, depth and power that cannot be underestimated.  The first 'quiet' vocal from Townshend could not play any better and Daltrey's vocals have no intrusion either.  The final instrumental is perfect and that includes the quiet acoustic ending and fade out.  In fact from start to finish there is not one dust tick let alone anything worse and Mint is again 100% deserved.

The brief but classic 'Love Ain't For Keeping' is 'as new' with no interference.  I can't stress enough just how superb the audio is and already I am running out of adjectives in which to describe this album.  The sonic quality here is unbelievable and this is easily another MINT track.

'My Wife' often has a 'muddy' sound quality I find but here I just tweaked the treble a little and that issue was soon rectified.  It plays with sublime clarity throughout and may well be the 'cleanest' version I have heard.  There is no interference, no distortion and Mint is again the only grade I can give.

The piano intro on 'Song Is Over' plays with stunning precision and the Townshend's opening vocal has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  It continues to play with a rare clarity of sound.  I say rare because this track regularly plays with some inner groove distortion but that is not the case here, not even during Daltrey's more powerful vocal sections.  There is zero interference and once again you cannot fail but be impressed by the clarity and definition on offer here.  The most 'complete' version I have ever heard?  Very possibly!  You might even expect some distortion on Moon's percussive ending but no, the playback is so clean and precise.  A Mint finish to STUNNING side of music.

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The piano intro on 'Getting In Tune' again pays testament to how well this vinyl has been preserved and plays beautifully with no intrusion.  The first verse and chorus are equally as good and it continues to play with a sonic quality that is second to none.  Every section plays with STUNNING audio and nowhere is that more obvious than on the more up-tempo end section.  The power, depth and warmth of the audio is phenomenally strong and this is another track that grades as Mint you will not hear better!

'Going Mobile' is of the same high end standard with literally no intrusion on the audio.  So far this first pressing is certainly delivering on every single level.  Mint

The acoustic intro on the classic 'Behind Blue Eyes' is 'as new' and the same applies to the opening vocal section.  The clarity is exceptional and it continues in the same way - I cannot overstate just how AMAZING this version is!  Each verse and chorus play with infinite precision and the 'rock' section more than keeps up this fine standard with incredible power and no distortion.  The final verse plays to perfection and you know the grade.  This is a definitive Mint version.

Another classic intro on 'Won't Get Fooled Again' and another intro that plays perfectly!  This is kept up as Moon's drums kick in and Daltrey's first vocal is of the same standard.  Running at over 8 minutes of course the quality does not drop as you progress further into the track.  The vocals are as 'clean' as they were back in '71 and the instrumental sections play with stunning precision also.  Even as you approach the end there is no inner groove distortion and the quieter synth section has no intrusion, just a handful of barely audible dust ticks and I don't even know why I am saying that as they are so unbelievably quiet!  The final section plays with great quality and Daltrey's scream has never sounded better!  Right to the end there is no interference and I am confident in grading this classic as Mint as I cannot find one single fault.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to the highest standard possible with NO background of any kind.  A handful of dust ticks at most but that is not 'background' as they are barely audible and of course 100% non-intrusive.  In all my years of selling I have never found a Who's Next as STUNNING as this and I would go so far to say it plays 'as new' from start to finish.  The sonic quality has not deteriorated in any way and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic.  The avid Who collector I know would be just as impressed as I am by the audio!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The infamous MacNeill cover has a little shelf wear but this mostly relates to the bottom edge which does have some rubbing and a little more towards the corners.  The top edge is very clean with only minimal rubbing and the spine remains 100% legible with only 3/4 minor 'rubs' and some wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are in pretty good shape and the opening edge has just minimal handling wear.  The front cover has no marking or creasing and the only obvious flaw is the wear near the bottom two corners.  The back cover has no marking as such, just some faint creasing and a little creasing.  Not a perfect example but not in poor condition by any means and certainly better than many you see today.

The original 'Plastic Bags...' poly-lined inner (dated 0371) is in excellent condition with just one very small 'clean' side split, barely any creasing and very little age related fading around the edges.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

2408102   A // 1   1 1 1 8   MG 12888 (etched)

2408102   B // 2 ᐁ  420   1 2 6

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 MAY 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 : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 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!