History and Collected Improvisations Frank Zappa Box

$

228

The History and Collected Improvisations of Frank Zappa and the others of Invention:  A Ten Record BOX Set. 

Also included Free Inside! “10 Years on the Road with Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention” (a 36 page book with 100’s of illustrations). 

This is a 10-LP box set called The History & Collected Improvisations of Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention, which comes with a 36-page booklet called Ten Years on the Road with Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention, which consists of reproductions of various newspaper, magazine and other articles. The bulk of the recordings come from live concerts that took place from 1973-1976. You can view the list of songs on the back cover of the box-set. 

This box set is sometimes referred to as the "Bogus Box #1

1) Ultra-Modern Stringbean (dark blue label)

2) Nifty (sky blue label)

3) Ein Monster in der Musikhalle (orange label)

4) If You Get a Headache (pink label)

5) Frank Zappa vs. the Tooth Fairy (Red-Orange label)

6) A Token of My Extreme (silver label)

7) I Was a Teenage Maltshop (pale yellow label)

8) Petrouska (bright yellow label)

9) Zurkon Music (cream label)

10) Back on the Straight and Narrow (green label)

Actual Condition of this Set:

First a general comment on this collection.  This box was purchased when released and listened to 1 or 2 times at most, almost all the LP’s are in near perfect condition with a few noted exceptions, the vinyl has a shine and luster of  a well cared for record, the labels are also in near perfect shape.  Where there was a visual flaw noted, I cleaned the LP on a VPI 16.5 using Record Research Labs Super Vinyl Wash and Disc Doctor Brushes.  I then play graded the record on a VPI Scout/Grado Statement to make absolutely sure of the true condition of the LP. Finally all the Lp’s are placed in a MOFI Master inner sleeve (original paper sleeves are also included).  I did not play grade the entire 10 sides.

1) Ultra-Modern Stringbean (dark blue label) ZX3651A & ZX3651B

Side One: Vinyl; NM, very light wear from paper sleeve.  Label has one small spindle mark, probably played 1 time. 

Side Two:  Vinyl: NM-,VG++, This side has one minor visual flaw,  a 3 inch straight line across the grooves.  I play graded it and there is no tick or pop or audible imperfection.  Label has 2 minor spindle marks, played perhaps twice, plus my listen. 

2) Nifty (sky blue label)  ZX3652A & ZX3652B

Side One: Vinyl:  NM, visually near perfect vinyl, looks un-played.  I know it was played 1 time.  Label, no spindle wear, near perfect. 

Side Two:  Vinyl:  NM, same visually near perfect vinyl.  Label, no spindle wear, near perfect. 

3) Ein Monster in der Musikhalle (orange label) ZX3653A & ZX3653B

Side One:  Vinyl NM, very clean, no scratches or visual imperfections, played 1 or 2 times, very nice.  Label shows no marks or wear.

Side Two:  Vinyl:  NM-, and minus only because of a hairline scratch under 1 inch in length, also play graded there is no skip, and no audible noise at that mark.  Label shows no marks or wear. 

4) If You Get a Headache (pink label) ZX3654A & ZX3654B

Side One:  Vinyl: NM-, very slight paper sleeve scuff marks, very minimal.  Label:  Spindle wear is very light one small mark. 

Side Two:  Vinyl: VG+, there is one substantial looking scratch about midway through the side.  Play Graded:  Record plays through without skipping, there are about 6 successive ticks or pops on that spot, but otherwise is fine, it looks scary, but proved to be rather benign.  Label has one small mark of spindle wear. 

5) Frank Zappa vs. the Tooth Fairy (red-orange)  ZX-3655A & ZX-3655B

Side One:  Vinyl:  NM, looks un-played, near perfect.  Label has no spindle wear.

Side Two:  Vinyl: NM, same as side one, looks un-played, near perfect.  Label has no spindle wear.

6) A Token of My Extreme (silver label) ZX-3656A &  ZX-3656B

Side One:  Vinyl: NM- a very small paper scuff, does not effect play.  Label has one small spindle mark.

Side Two: Vinyl: NM, unplayed condition, perfect.  Label has no marks.

7) I Was a Teenage Maltshop (pale yellow label)  ZX-3657A & ZX-3657B

Side One:  Vinyl: NM- VG++. This side has 3 small surface marks on the vinyl that do no effect the play.  Label  no marks. 

Side Two: Vinyl: NM-, Glossy slight paper scuff, no scratches.  Label has no marks/perfect.

8) Petrouska (bright yellow label)  ZX-3658A & ZX-3658B

Side One: Vinyl:  MN-, very slight paper scuffs visible only at angle to light, no scratches or major imperfections, otherwise glossy shine.  Label: no marks.

Side Two: Vinyl:  MN-,  the lightest hairline scratch, (play graded) does not effect play, glossy shine otherwise.

9) Zurkon Music (cream label)  ZX-3659A & 3659B

Side One: Vinyl:  NM-, the smallest of hairline scratch, barely noticeable, Play graded and is not audible.  Label has  no marks.

Side Two: Vinyl:  NM, slight paper sleeve scuffs visible only at perfect angle to light.

10) Back on the Straight and Narrow (green label) ZX-3660A & 3660B

Side One: Vinyl:  NM-, slightest paper marks, visible at angle to light, otherwise clean and shiny.  Label, no marks

Side Two: Vinyl:  NM, no marks, clean.  Label, no marks.

Condition of Box and accompanying booklet:

The box:  VG, there is a split at the bottom right corner of the front piece (cover), and general wear at the other corners and edges, although no splits.   Bottom half of box also shows general wear and the paper page of info is beginning to separate from the box at the bottom.

The Booklet:  VG, has some discoloration and genera wear, but has no tears or rips or writing of any kind, stapled binding is tight and strong.

Where did  I get these crazy grading ideas and why don't I rate them as "Excellent"?  Although I do believe these are in excellent condition, there really is no such grade for a record.   I have been collecting records for 30 years and take this seriously, especially on Ebay where record grading is essentially a joke. 

A general note about grading LP’s: 

I use the standard grading as defined by GOLDMINE.  It appears as follows on their website.

Look at everything about a record. It’s playing surface, label, and edges...under a strong light. Then based on your overall impression give it a grade based on the following criteria: 

Mint (M)   Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed.(More on still sealed under "Other Considerations"). Should be used sparingly as a grade, If at all.

Near Mint (NM or M-)   A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly)that no record is ever truly perfect.

The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling.

An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like.

Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

Near Mint is the highest price listed in all Goldmine price guides. Anything that exceeds this grade, in the opinion of both buyer and seller, is worth significantly more than the highest Goldmine book value.

Very Good Plus (VG+)  

A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it.

Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK".

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play.

Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount.

In general, if not for a couple things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.

Very Good (VG)   .Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.

Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

Finally bid with confidence, 100% feedback is no joke, I package professionaly, and ship on time, I do not make money on BS shipping and "Handling" charges.  I ship records in packaging from sleeve city, this actual cost is figured in the shipping charges.  This item is heavy at 4.5 lbs without packing. 

Insurance is optional but recommended,  delivery confirmation by signature is required.

International Shipment available, use this calculator from USPS to estimate your total shipping cost.

  Package will weigh around 6lbs.

http://ircalc.usps.gov/

Thanks for looking. 

NO RESERVE