A Triple Threat of Jazz Vinyl
Here’s some jazz vinyl we’re watching on eBay, starting with Roland Kirk, Triple Threat, King 539. This looks to be an original pressing listed in Ex condition for the record, which I’m taking to mean maybe VG+, and VG++ condition for the cover. It’s a rare record, but I’m getting pretty tired of the term Holy Grail, aren’t you? Anyway this grail, holy or not, has an starting price of about $1,000 and there are no takers so far. I’m a big fan of Kirk, and I don’t own this LP, but at $1,000 it doesn’t even come up on my radar.
Wes Montgomery, Full House, Riverside 434. This is a promo pressing with the white label. I can’t tell from either the pictures or the description whether it is an original pressing, but there is definitely a lot of action on the record so perhaps it is. The record and cover are probably in VG++ condition. The bidding is in the $340 range and the auction closes later today.
This seller can use a lesson in photo management:
Horace Parlan, Us Three, Blue Note 4037. This looks to be an original pressing in VG condition for the record and VG+ for the cover. All of the pictures are sideways, which makes for an interesting viewpoint. Well, not really. Anyway, there is a single bit on this record and it is for $500. The auction closes today.
I’ve always thought it was super cool that Kirk put out an album on King.
Hard to tell vinyl condition from a picture, but it sure doesn’t look “EX” (whatever that means), from the posted pics.
I know that Riverside has a gray area around the 400s when it comes to deep groove or no deep groove. This copy doesn’t seem to have it, and I just bought one that doesn’t, but the example photos of Discogs have deep groove. Any advice/facts/speculation on this?
@Phil : this Full House album is a must have for any collection, and is in demand. Promo copies do not have DG, but a it does exist (regular) with a DG. The DG edition is very hard to find, ahd has a great sound. More common edition have no DG and are often noisy… Same as Circle Waltz or the Trio, and probably others.
Full House was recorded at about the same time (early 60’s) as the Blue Notes we discussed previously, that were being pressed by both DG and non-DG equipped machines simultaneously, so that neither can necessarily claim precedence.
For myself, I can’t say which has better sound – I’ve always been of the opinion that Riverside may in fact be the noisiest (in general) of all the major labels.
I appreciate the “no bar code” mention on the Full House listing title. This is an important detail Bob Djukic should add to his multicolored auctions. 🙂
The King pressing of that Kirk is cool but the Bethlehem (“Third Dimension) is certainly “around” and could be acquired for less than $300.
I was interested in the Parlan, but skeptical of the condition after a few of the answers I got from the seller…
I’m completely disillusioned with buying any collectible jazz records on eBay. I would rather pay the market price to an honest dealer like “Jazz Collector.” I’ve been through a string of eBay buys where the sellers didn’t simply leave out information, but blatantly lied about the condition of the vinyl, and markings in the run out. One seller wrote specifically that the “ear” was on both sides of a NM record. There were no ears and the record was possibly a “B” rating. The seller had 100% feedback and is paying for the return postage, which is very nice, but how can anyone with any integrity make such false statements. I would have even given the seller the benefit of the doubt if he were a high volume dealer. But this was not the case. I even wrote to him to ask about markings in the run out and he responded by writing that he couldn’t look at the record because it was in storage. Then, right before the end of the auction, he put in the description that the “ear” was on both sides–an obvious attempt to pump up the bidding at he last minute. Well, it didn’t. Only someone as obtuse as myself bid on it. I figured that at worst I would get a near mint “Liberty,” at a reasonable price. It was, unfortunately, not close to near mint.
I can’t pretend to understand the mindset. Did he really think his deception would go unnoticed? I mean, this is blatant fraud. So, he’s nice at the end and keeps his 100% feedback. I can’t mention the user name because it violates eBay rules. I am partially at fault for not running in the other direction when I received his first response.
But the serious issue is about the outrageous epidemic of over-grading on eBay. Yes, there are a few honest sellers who grade within reason. But there are too many records with a near mint grade that look like they were dragged through the street. I really think it would be to eBay’s benefit to discipline cases of blatant misrepresentation. It’s a very serious problem, especially when it involves expensive items. To paraphrase a famous author, business works on confidence and trust. Without it, everything, like a broken clock, just stops running.
I just went to a record swap meet and picked up 12 records for $86, including a Prestige 10 inch, Clifford Brown and Art Farmer with the Swedish All-Stars. Pretty cool. Any one have a guess as to what the value of this record is? The jacket is in g condition and the record is VG++. (The record has minimal surface noise, but it is evident. Considering the condition of the jacket, the record surprised me). Let me know what you think, I’d appreciate it.
Seth: and if all the desillusioned buyers left negative feedback and one star in stead of five?
Hi guys!
eBay can be a problem and I think maybe the biggest problem is that when a seller screws up intentionally or not it rarely shows in the feedback. As the system works a seller will work with an unhappy customer to avoid bad feedback or any any feedback at all. It happened to me and I’m sure it has happened to you.
Bought a Gryce on Signal as NM. Turned out to be VG. Got half the money back – no feedback. Nobody knows he screwed up. Had I given a bad feedback – no money back for sure. Si it’s in my interest not to give bad feedback.
I’m sure this happens all the time. And I’m also sure that this strategy pays off quite often.
Lately I’ve almost felt like I don’t care about the money back it would almost be better to actually give a bad feedback….so beware sellers.
Please grade honestly.
Shaft: but the anonymous five-stars rating system gives you a tool to give bad notes. I wouldn’t buy from a seller who has got an average note for grading below 4. I myself as seller have 4.9 and it is tough to obtain 5 because buyers may be happy about their purchase and they give four, in good faith. And there you are with a tainted reputation.
Rudolf i was not aware of that anonymous system. Have to look into that.
Did you guys notice the condition of this “mostly VG+/NM-” graded jacket? That’s a G in my opinion and makes me suspicious of his grading of the vinyl!
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SONNY-ROLLINS-Way-Out-west-58-Stereo-Records-STEREO-super-clean-VG-to-NM-LP-/111317815715?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=R4nyVYHaY%252Burt%252BDgFds%252Bc7jRx9g%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Yikes…that’s not even close to VG+ on the cover. I picked up this LP as an original stereo records release for $75, spotless vinyl (though half of one track turned out to have a loud pop) and the cover has clear tape on all seams, although it is taped neatly. Just good enough for me considering the price, but I still dream of stumbling on a replacement for the taped cover…
As I understand it, the slash (“/”) is used to describe something that is between two close categories – hence the VG++/NM- description of the vinyl at least makes sense (even if the lack of play-testing and his troubled cover description would make me hesitant) – the VG+/NM- makes no sense to me at all (aside from the defects mentioned)since, these two are at least two categories apart
Personally, I would have to ask a lot of questions before I would even consider buying (and almost certainly would not)
I see it sold for $228 – the vinyl would have to be pretty close to pristine to justify buying this with that highly questionable cover
VG+ one side, NM- the other. Given that and general iffyness, I would have stayed away also.
The Rollins was for record upgrade purposes only, if i have a fine cover already. I would not consider any grading for such a badly stained cover. In any case, i would never pay 228 $ for this one. Lucky seller.
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/141250586473?clk_rvr_id=620282731682
wow !