ROLLING STONES Satanic Majesties EX++ 67 Unbox Decca LP

	£		149
	$		197

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: THE ROLLING STONES

Album Title: Their Satanic Majesties Request

Producer(s): Rolling Stones.

Engineer(s): Glyn Johns.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Frontside: Sing This All Together; Citadel; In Another Land; 2000 Man; Sing This All Together (see what happens).

Side 2: Backside: She’s a Rainbow; The Lantern; Gomper; 2000 Light Years From Home; On With the Show.

Cat Number: TXS 103.

Label, format and Conditions: Green Decca unboxed format. Beautiful examples: super clean with clear defined text. Spindle marks are very light indeed, faint and few – without doubt, this amazing copy has hardly been played. Again from the collection of supremely well looked-after records.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 144 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: A very early stereo copy with 3D cover and psych inner is a rare item now. Even more so with a cover in the most jaw-drop stunning of conditions. Like most dealers, I have seen this quite a number of times but this is the very best thus far. This will take you back to the records shops of the 1960s when this and other classics were purchased from new. The inner is almost beyond believe: one of the most fragile of inners, similar to The Beatles ‘Pepper’ inner and equally as thin and fragile – this looks brand new and that is NO exaggeration. The record itself is almost equally magnificent and looks hardly played. (like most from this collection). One for the discerning Stones collector, this will prove very difficult to find better and such examples are very rare indeed.

Original Year of Release: 1967

Matrix Nos: ZAL-8126-T2-6K / ZAL-8127-T2-4K

Stamper Codes: 1 BB / 1 C

Brief Artist & Album Info: This Stones gem will forever be compared to The Beatles Sgt Pepper – their 1967 psych album, many of the major acts of this time were producing psych records. Satanic Majesties has never fully received the full recognition is really deserves. For sure a massive change of direction from the previous albums and it all may have been too much for many of their fans. Often described as a ‘flawed classic’, but I have heard few flaws myself. A brave and compelling album, weird (by their standards) for sure but many moments and songs of true genius - ‘She’s a Rainbow’ and ‘2000 light years from Home’ always sound so much better on this ‘proper’ album rather than compilations. This album is a barrage of sound with brass and effects and for The Stones, a real one-off. For me it’s one of those album that’s totally essential in both the mono and stereo formats as both sound very different. The mono version is more robust and solid with greater bass depth and solidity. This stereo version is dynamic and has wonderful imagery and presence. Take the brass blasting out of the speakers at the very start of side one - it hits you full in the face, and the album just does not let up - this is a very intense experience. Play this album loud and you will be left spinning. This album is so often seen in a trashed state or at best just heavily played (a sign of those times) with worn sound traumas. The massive sound and complex production embedded in these grooves always made this one of the most prone-to-wear records ever made in this period. Early heavyweight decks, so often mono, simply wore quickly into this most fragile of recordings - the sounds, the high frequencies especially, always fare very badly with massive high frequency clipping running into moderate, even severe distortion. I have yet to hear a copy of this that plays absolutely ‘perfectly’ throughout, but this must rank close with few blemishes and any surface sounds are very few and infrequent, light and minimal and is devoid of any significant pops or clicks, another real bonus. This copy plays with truly astonishing sound and detail and absolutely distortion free. It’s very clear to me this record has been played very few times with very clean playing surfaces with little more than ultra fine surface traces or fine hairlines that have no effect on sound. The voices that open side two are, I would suggest are near impossible to find pristine but here are exceptional and track devoid of the usual crackle and echo that blights most copies. This record is exceptional and defies its age and dismisses any potential groove-wear. The album’s sheer intensity and brilliant content will not allow you sit there and wait for any minor blemishes. This record when played on any genuine ‘hi-fi’ deck will literally blow you away and no other format will even run this close. The record comes in its original psych inner which is incredibly well preserved, it truly could pass for new and is one of the very few I have seen or had that’s unsplit or torn. The 3D cover is a true work of art and will rarely be found better. With just minor edge rubs top and bottom, this has a shine on the main surfaces I hardly thought possible these days. The 3D hollogram looks stunning and has the fewest marks I have yet seen. Most have heavy scuffs or even deep scratches and this lies pretty much dead flat. For collectors wanting a close-to pristine all-round stereo example of this famous old psych album, well this is worthy of the highest consideration. I can hardly stop looking at this and even offering it comes hard.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High: Very prone to damage and warping badly to the adhesion of the 3D picture on the cover front. Atmospheric conditions e.g. humidy, cold and heat react with the glue and make this cover bend, often severely so it becomes mishapen and even badly bowed. Few of these will ever lay dead-flat these days. This example has is almost as flat as can possibly ever be achieved – and that’s pretty much ‘as-made’.

Cover Condition and Details: Mint(-) and a delight and privilege to hold and view – this is up there with the most spectacular 60s covers I have yet had to offer. It’s the very famous 3D cover, a gatefold format, laminated front and back. Printed and made in England by Robert Stace. This is the very first, original, no peep-hole mono/stereo indicators, they came later in 1969. Without doubt one of rocks greatest ever covers and this a sepreme example. Not quite ‘perfect’, few ever will be, but this sets the benchmark for others to match or beat. Like the record, this gets trashed all too often and is so easily damaged. Not just by heavy handedness or bad storage but also by atmosphere, heat and cold. Excess of either can have disastrous effects on the hollogram front that distorts and bends with extreme conditions. Once this happens, nothing can restore it back to originality or flatness. I have even seen examples with the 3D picture that has clearly been restuck after being pulled-off, usually with pretty dire results.

Cover Lamination: This retains an immaculate glossy shine and shows no peeling or major dry areas, a tiny (and I do mean TINY) blister on the front top left corner and one on the rear spine edge. So small infact, few would even mention such trivia. I have never seen such gloss on this cover before and the ultra clearness allows the artwork to be enjoyed to the absolute maximum. The blue front border around the hollogram is incredibly intense which brings out the 3D graphic even more than usual. This simply GLEAMS!!, no creasing and barely even a surface mark to be seen on either side. As stunning as the front is, the back it equally worthy of mention: the totally lack of friction rubs or dulling is almost beyond belief and I cannot see a single crease, even a hairline crack on the edge. This is artwork of the highest quality from a bygone age. A cover for the Stones connoisseur - this goes beyond beautiful.

Cover Front: The 3D picture looks amazing too and way better than most seen with no milkiness that so many portray. Just a tiny few ultra fine and faint surface marks only really visible with angled viewing. With ‘normal’ straight-on viewing nothing shows the this retains lovely rich colour and has tremendous 3D effect. When tilted to just the right angled, the faces change direction – I would love to be able to photograph this effect but that would be near impossible. This has NEVER come adrift and been restuck and this is adhered fully square on the front’s surface. This has not chipped at all and the edges are crisp and very sharp. Lovely psych artwork, this really looks strong to the eye. Few avoid some surface marks or blemishes and often these are major scuffs and deep scratches, this has nothing like that, the very few marks present on this example are very fine and unobtrusive. Another important factor is the picture is still stuck fast and is very flat with practically no bowing of the cover’s front. This lies very flat and has clearly NOT been subjected to any extremes in storage conditions. As explained above, many of these bend and warp with age, humidity and bad storage can be a huge factor in this. How many of these have been left in lofts or sheds over the years? Resulting in contorted fronts that resemble a hump-backed bridge rather than a LP cover. Most will have seen them like that. Once these bend, rarely will they flatten out again and I have seen some examples before that have alarming bows in them and they do look less than wonderful. Remember this is a very early example, now over 40-years-old, it’s in beautiful condition and has immediate eye-impact, truly of connoisseur’s standard. After seeing this, few would settle for less and that’s the honest truth.

Cover Back: Simply jaw-drop gorgeous, reference standard and as new. The colourful artwork is as clean and fresh as new and there is not even a trace of a record impression or ring mark. You could wait forever to find this better and again that’s the honest truth.

Cover Gatefold Inner: STUNNING artwork and looking MAGNIFICENT with hardly a noteworthy blemish to be seen. Clean and unmarked with no ring-rub blemishes. Uncreased and with very rich vibrant artwork – this will never be bettered and I state my reputation on it.

Top Edges: The back edge is very lightly rubbed, but neatly so. The single thickness front edge is pristine with no thickening or burring.

Bottom Edges: Similar to above but slightly more rubbing to the back edge. As the record has rested here, this is very difficult to avoid. Again the front is superb.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Ultra clean and very sharp with barely a trace of wear and guaranteed with NO trimming. Record entered on right outside back edge.

Spine and Text: A fantastic spine and unusually, with inverted text, this is NOT usual and is rare to find. Solid and dead straight – so often bowed with glue reaction from the hollogram. Totally uncompressed and dead square, both right edges meeting up together well and parallel. No damage or wear at all and all text is pristine, unworn and clear under the solid, unpeeled and still very shiny laminate. The inverted text is much rarer than the standard direction and makes this sleeve an unusual variant.

Corners: A tiny chip on the front bottom right but little else to fault on any others. All retain superb shape and fantastic definition.

Cover Summary: One of my best ever – my regular buyers will know when I get this excited about a cover. it’s pretty special – and this truly is. One for the serious 60s and Stones collector, they don’t come along too often like this. For those who own this already, well could be the ultimate final upgrade – few these days will be better, of that, I have few doubts.

The Inner: Can this impossibly fragile, thin, unlined inner ever be graded Mint – well yes it can – it’s here. This goes beyond amazing, it looks new. Let’s get this into perspective: most are seen torn with major edge splits or badly repaired. Most have penetrating ringwear and badly creased with fading. The top opening edges knurled and tatty with ugly results. Few even made it to the shops intact, record movement from the manufacturers to the shops meant edge splits and damage. This has survived ALL such traumas and as stated, it could pass as new. Immaculately clean, no creasing, intense fresh colour with no repairs or ringwear – a truly beautiful example of this psych inner. Often missing altogether but when included, almost impossible to find like this. A Mint grading is totally justified, try to find one better, even the recessed opening looks unused.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX++ is probably being over-harsh and critical – for most this would easily grade Mint(-). An early pressed unboxed stereo copy that has a beautiful shine and is still intense black and very solidly pressed on high quality Decca vinyl. A tiny few ultra fine and faint surface traces under light, even finer than hairlines, merely movement blemishes few ever escape (but look hard). I am certain this has not been played many times – my best estimate, two or three times only. A copy that has avoided any needle drops or damage, this copy tracks effortlessly and will not be easy to find much cleaner these days.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This record plays with astonishing sound that is quite unique. Very powerful, rich and detailed stereophonic sound, big in dynamics with unique mix and production - it is quite different to the mono version and I still consider both versions essential. It has terrific audio quality, any sound blemishes are minimalm few and very faint. Most listeners will love this copy, I am, I hope, a discerning listener and careful grader (I have been told on several occasions I actually undergrade – but I can live with that). This record would delight me to own, keep, and enjoy. The sound on this album is special and I found any minor blemishes were blown away by all the positives of which there are many. Even the quieter passages play well with practically nothing unwanted. Just holding that vintage cover and hearing the in-built power of this early stereo Decca record will please. Play this album loud - the music and sound demands it, and this copy can cope – treat it carefully it will last indefinetly if played on a modern lightweight deck. These grooves have no wear and sound is focused and very sharp with no clipping. Like Beatles albums, this and other Stones albums are so often seen totally trashed and unplayable, hearing this outstanding copy is like a breath of fresh air compared to many. Not absolutely ‘perfect’ but I feel exceptional and it’s a really challenging recording and I enjoyed it immensely.

End Piece: I hope I have not dragged this one out too much, but this is an important album - arguably one of the most difficult albums within the Rolling Stones catalogue (if not ever). They don’t show up that often in fine playing conditions and I have actually found the unboxed stereo copies far more elusive than than the mono. Being honest, the mono version is harder to find in top conditions but it probably sold more at the time. Even the laughably undervalued price guides are now putting very large values on this and other early Stones albums, and prices are set to rise even higher and quicker in future guides as available, clean sounding copies run out. I would urge any Stones collectors who needs this elusive stereo classic to strongly think about this copy – with a breathtaking cover, inner and beautiful, hardly played record, it will take a vast amount of beating. It’s a copy I can strongly recommend – do not lose this one.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets out ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is no bad thing. Also: any item with a value over £40 will have to be insured as well, but for any item that sells for over £150, I will pay the extra insurance (then the lower shipping price applies).

I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within three days maximum (unless on holiday). All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO VERY THICK stiffners for even extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will be Double Boxed. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 4,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. I discount of course of multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per packet. I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included in the advert.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4. (Only for items under £40)

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (Compulsory for items over £40).

Posting & Packing: ALL EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA including RUSSIA and nearby countries. (Airmail Only):

1 LP, value less than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £8.

1 LP, value greater than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, [£500 Maximum]) = £11.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP, value less than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £12.

1 LP, value greater than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500 Maximum) = £15.

For items that sell over £150, I will pay the insurance, so the lower shipping price will apply.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.