Leon Lowman - Syntheseas - 1980 private press oop RARE synth LP vinyl record

$

187

Leon Lowman – Syntheseas

Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul

Style: Ambient, Soul, Funk

Year: 1980

Cover: VG, some wear around the corners and a bend on the lower left corner, very light ring wear along the bottom, there’s a small chip on the lower part of the front, some minor damage to the spine, the back has yellowed with age, NO SMELLS, NO SPLITS, NO WATER DAMAGE, NO MOLD

Side A:

Visual-grade:  VG, the outer edge (before the music starts) has damage from a dirty paper inner sleeve, the playing surface is a very strong VG+ (pretty much EX), 

 I visually graded it low because of the outer edge damage - I boosted the sharpness and contrast in the pics so it’s clearly visible. 

> Play-grade: overall play-grade = EX, loud crackle from outer edge damage ends as the music starts, track 1 plays EX+ (close to NM), there’s sporadic surface noise between all tracks, track 2 is a strong VG+, track 3 plays EX, track 4 plays VG+ with some tasty bass towards the end, and track 5 plays EX.  A very nice sounding side.

Side B:

Visual-grade: VG, the outer edge has damage from the original (dirty) generic paper inner sleeve (tossed it) and some of it affects track 1 (not bad at all), overall, the playing surface is VG+ with some small nicks and light sleeve brush.

> Play-grade: overall play-grade = VG+, light crackle (from outer edge damage) is audible for the first twenty seconds, or so, during track 1, track 1 plays mostly EX, surface noise between track 1 and 2, track 2 plays very strong VG+ (most would say EX), there’s some loud pops between track 2 and 3 (not during the music), track 3 starts VG with spots of noise but EX for the rest of the track, surface noise between track 3 and 4, track 4 plays VG with light surface noise throughout (it kind of blends in with the the music - like it’s suppose to be there), between track 4 and 5 sounds pretty clean, track 5 plays EX+/NM. This side plays almost as good as side A. 

This is a great sounding record! Don’t let the outer edge damage throw you off - the playing surface is really nice 

The record is dead-flat (no warps). I washed it (twice) and placed it into a new poly inner sleeve (and the jacket into a new poly outer sleeve). I ship records with the disc tucked in behind the jacket so there’s no chance of splitting the jacket during shipping - I also make sure there’s zero chance a record will slide around inside the box causing damage while on the move to its new home. 

A sealed copy sold recently (for a lot) and I’m sure it’s great but what if the wrong record was inside (not likely but possible) or it was damaged (it happened to me before). With this one you know what you’re getting. I added every detail I could come up with. 

………………………….

REMEMBER: my turntable and audio equipment differs from yours and we will experience different playback. 

I do my best to play-grade by ear. Like I explain below, I play records loud before listing. Many sellers don’t even own a turntable. They only give a visual grade based on a record that hasn’t even been cleaned (what a joke).

>>>> all items are sold “AS IS” <<<< 

………………………….

I always use USPS MEDIA MAIL for shipping media unless it’s stated in the listing that I’ll be using something different.

The item(s) pictured are/is the item(s) you will receive. Taking photos of LPs with shrink wrap is like photographing a mirror so most albums are photographed on an angle.

 >> I never lay the record flat on a dirty surface. All discs are photographed on a small riser. <<

I play grade about 98% of what I sell unless it’s sealed or obviously unplayed.  

Many eBay sellers don’t take the time to wash their albums and only give them a visual grade, not me.  BUT, I’m only human and many of the records are OLD.  If I think Side 1 of a record from 1969 sounds EX and you think it’s only VG+ sorry - I’m trying my best here.  If a record sounds incredible but has one rough patch I’ll drop the grading and usually make note that it’s a NM side except for whatever.  

> > > Even SEALED albums can sound terrible.  < < <

If you like records then prepare to hear surface noise, the occasional pop, and some stuff an MP3 doesn’t have.

If the album is in a small lot or sold separately rest assured I have washed and rinsed the disc using my lazy-susan / vacuum set-up. All cleaned discs are placed into poly inner sleeves - rarely straight paper unless the LP is inexpensive and there’s zero chance it will shift in transport causing sleeve brush.  I’ll give some of the covers a light cleaning if they need it.  

I try my best to eliminate dirt and/or mold- I will not sell an album with living mold on it, ever. 

If a record is inexpensive due to its condition I won’t sell it.  A very, very scratched up Led Zeppelin album has no place in my eBay listings or apartment.  A “M-“ album by some unknown band from the early 80’s that belongs in a dollar bin might make it into a lot.  Just because it sells for dirt cheap doesn’t mean someone out there wouldn’t want a pristine album in their collection. 

Vinyl Grading System: 

(this is visual and play-grading - play-grading is the important part)

Mint (M) : Absolutely perfect in every way. Never been played and (usually) sealed

Near Mint (NM) : The record has been on a shelf between other records. The vinyl looks glossy and clearly has only been played a few times. There are no marks (or extremely small/shallow marks - that do not affect play) on the vinyl and the whole package is complete.

Excellent (EX) : Same but I’d tolerate light marks where the vinyl has been in and out of the inner sleeve a few times, or small signs of use generally.

Very Good Plus (VG+) : A few further faults are acceptable, but nothing that really compromises the record visually or audibly too much. A little rub, light audible marks, a little background crackle.

Very Good (VG) : It’s seen a bit of life, but is still usable. Light pops and clicks, maybe an edge split, light visible scratches. You can still listen to it and enjoy looking at it, but it is visually and audibly USED.  Most opened (old) albums fall into this category.

Good (G) : To be honest you’re making trouble for yourself here, as Good means Bad. I’d only be selling something really desirable in this condition, with a bargain price and a full, no holds barred description to match.

Poor (P), Fair (F) : Attempting to listen will be a disturbing experience. Expect major noise issues, skipping or repeating. The record itself is cracked, badly warped and has deep scratches. The cover is also approaching death.

I’ll also use M-, NM+, NM-, EX+, EX-, VG-, etc. record grading is kinda tricky and NM might be too high but EX isn’t doing it justice, hence, EX+ or maybe NM-

I TEST-PLAY MY RECORDS LOUD.  

All records sound quiet and clean if you can barely hear them. I crank up the volume so I (and you) can hear the defects - scratches, cracks, dirt, pressing flaws, etc.

If the record is worth $25, $40, $50+ I won’t step away from it when I’m grading it.  The cheaper the album the more likely I’ll get up to go to the kitchen or whatever.  But, like I said, I play the records loud so not to miss the pops and stuff. Remember, most eBayer sellers only visually grade their albums. A shiny clean album may look like it sounds nice only to find out it’s a hot mess. I’ve found this out the hard way on more than one occasion. 

I use LP mailers.  If I can, I’ll place two, three… up to six LPs into a mailer so as to lessen the chance of one getting lost.  Records are placed outside of the outer sleeve/cover to avoid splitting the cover unless the album is sealed but I found packing multiple LPs into one sleeve makes it virtually impossible for them to move around and cause cover splitting or damage to the vinyl so the record may be tucked inside the cover. 

>>>> all items are sold “AS IS” <<<<  

- I do my best to describe and photograph the item(s).

- If I use a photograph that I did not take myself it will be noted on the picture.

>   ALL SALES ARE FINAL.   NO REFUNDS.   NO RETURNS.  < 

NO INTERNATIONAL SALES unless you have a U.S. mailing address!!!!! 

I only use eBay’s Global Shipping Program

 --->  I will only ship to U.S. addresses and will CANCEL any orders with foreign addresses.

Once an item is purchased I do not consider it to be my item any longer and I do my best to move it along to its proper owner as quickly as I can. I mail out items as soon as I am able. Sometimes items go to the post office in less than 30 minutes from payments received, other times I have to wait until Monday morning or after a holiday to ship.  

Once the item is dropped off at my local post office it’s “out of my hands” and I cannot make the item appear at your doorstep any faster than the USPS can.  

Please do not ask for refunds or replacements when I have clearly mailed your item (I will always add the tracking number the USPS provides me with.)  

PLEASE LEAVE POSITIVE FEEDBACK IF YOU ARE HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE (OR CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK) - IT REALLY HELPS,  THANK YOU!

I buy a ton of stuff on eBay so I know how I want items to arrive (fast and as described) and I’m just an email away if you have a question or two.

Thanks for looking!