Kenny And The Kasuals Mark 5000 Live At The Studio Club
Item History & Price
Kenny and the Kasuals were one of the most competent of the mid-60's US garage bands, acquiring a large local following in the Dallas area. To promote their appearances at Dallas' "The Studio Club" they recorded this studio album with some crowd noise tossed in between tracks to give it its "Live at The Studio Club" title - it was intended to be sold at their club performances and the pressing was limited to 500 copies. It is a somewhat legendary album among garage aficionados because ...(a) these guys are really good across multiple rock styles (British Invasion and garage being their Go-To) and (b) it is a top-notch recording, unlike the one-take 60's garage rock released by the likes of Justice Records (and I have many of those, so I am not knocking that approach).
Here is a primo copy of the original release, one of those original 500 copies, perhaps the best you will ever see. (This has been re-released more than once). This came from the collection of Mark Lee, manager of Kenny and the Kasuals. And, he is the "Mark" of Mark Records which, for the most part, only released "Kenny and the Kasuals" titles. It includes a letter signed by Mark Lee on Mark Records stationary, dated 4/23/2008, attesting to the fact that it is one of the original 500 and "quite possibly the best of 500 copies" (see photo of letter).
In the letter, Mark Lee refers to it as a "mint copy". Here is my grading (I do not use mint). Vinyl grades NM: it really is very clean; there are a couple of superfine hairlines on Side A but they cannot be felt and do not affect playback; otherwise clean and glossy; solid loud excellent NM player. Labels grade VG+++: have to tick down for a couple of spindles; otherwise very clean with solid black color and sharp silver graphics. Outer sleeve grades VG+++: shrink is intact for about 90% of the front and about a third of the back; lower right corner (looking from the front) has been bumped causing a 3/4" split at that corner; other corners are clean and square; very light aging/handling wear on rear cover along open edge; one small stain on rear cover; photos and graphics are clear and bright; very clean cover. I have included pictures of each corner. The first two are the lower right with the split - an edge view and a straight-on view. The third and fourth are the lower left corner - again an edge view and a straight-on view. The fifth is the upper left corner, straight-on - since I used up my eBay allotment of picture, I only included one of this corner as it is the cleanest. The sixth and seventh are the upper right corner, straight-on and an edge view.
If you are looking for an end-all copy of this record for your collection, look no further. You will search hard to find any better and, as Mr. Lee suggests, there may BE no better. Overseas buyers - I am (almost) always willing to help you with your customs forms but the value here is too high for me to ship it by any other means than Priority Insured, which will require a customs declaration equal to the insured value.
Long live Texas garage!
First and foremost! Your satisfaction is of paramount importance. If you are dissatisfied FOR ANY REASON please let me know and anything that is within my power will be fixed.
US Standard Shipping is free! See below for the cost of US Priority Shipping and the cost of International Shipping. I recommend you wait for me to send you an invoice if there is a shipping charge - eBay's automatic shipping calculator is almost always higher than what I charge. If you do pay from the eBay calculation, and it is higher than the amount I have indicated below, I will refund the difference.
I ship using new packaging materials specifically designed for vinyl. I pack carefully, using pads and reinforcing the edges and corners with packing tape. I want the package to arrive in the condition it departs and do my utmost to make that happen. Shipping costs include the cost of the materials. I almost always ship within two days of a purchase, usually the next day; there will be a notice in my store if I am unable to meet that timeframe. Of course, I will combine shipping. In the event you want something you have purchased held pending the close of an upcoming auction in order that items can be shipped together, just let me know. I do not make money on packing and shipping.
I am happy to ship internationally. International shipping gets a bit more complicated, so I apologize for the length of this next section. Many buyers are not aware that eBay puts 100% of the responsibility for successful delivery on the seller; any problems or missing items are immediately charged back to the seller. For lower priced items, I use the most economical service available. Because of concerns and past problems with postal services in certain countries, in order to protect myself against loss on more expensive items, I use services with tracking/signing. I would rather not do this, since I recognize international shipping is costly enough, but it is too much risk on me for expensive items:For anything going anywhere up to $125, I ship by US First Class International, the least expensive US international mailing service.Anything over $125 (except packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany) requires Priority International with tracking. Priority International is the least expensive US international shipping option that provides insurance and tracking. It is a more expensive service than US First Class; to help defray the cost I pay for the insurance and do not charge for packing materials. Packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany will still qualify for US First Class International service up to a purchase of $250. Over $250, they also will use Priority International with tracking.It is important to know that USPS regulations require that packages sent Priority International have the insured value written on the custom declaration form in order for the insurance to be in force. Since packages shipped US First Class International do not carry insurance, the custom declaration is more flexible.I am happy to consider exceptions, particularly for successful repeat international customers, but it must be agreed in advance. I know shipping costs are high, so do not hesitate to message me to discuss options (but please do it before bidding or buying).Shipping rates:US Priority 12" (remember, standard US shipping is free): 1-3 12" for $11; 4-6 12" for $20; 7-9 12" for $23First Class International 12" (Canada $6 less): 1 12" for $24; 2 12" for $34; 3 12" for $45; 4 12" for $49Priority International 12" (Canada $8 less): Depending upon your location, 1-2 LPs will cost approximately $45 to ship, 3 LPs about $55. I cannot give a precise cost since they vary by country but those estimates are reliably close. Quotes provided for other quantities or mixed shipments.
Record Grading (always see photos!):
Note it is not possible for me to play-grade every LP. Grading is primarily visual; if I have questions about a certain marking or condition on an LP I will play specific sections to supplement the visual review. Generally, on higher dollar items, I do a full play-grading.
Mint (M): Only if sealed.Near Mint (NM): Vinyl shows very little evidence of use, retains nearly all of its original gloss, minimal markings, no warping or dishing; Labels are clean and crisp with no writing or sticker residue, no ring wear or rubbing wear, no significant spindle marking; Original sleeves are clean and square, solid spine, no writing, no splits, no ring wear, minimal edge wear.Very Good + (VG+): Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface may have light scuffs or hairline non-feelable scratches that do not significantly affect playback, still has a substantial amount of gloss, may have slight dishing or small edge warp that tracks without significant tonearm bobbing, any feelable marks will be minimal and playback effect described; Labels are clean with only minor ring or rubbing wear, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, limited soiling and no significant stains, drill hole is OK if label is otherwise clean, graphics and logos are clear and bright; Original sleeves are clean with no more than light ring wear, light edge wear, corners are square with no more than minor dings, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, one small seam split would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean, light creasing, drill hole would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean. Grading is all-encompassing, so multiple flaws of the type described will drop the grade.Very Good (VG): Vinyl will show significant use with scuffing or hairline scratches but plays through without skipping (or a very minor skip will be noted), any feelable scratches are noted including the effect on playback, may have light noise particularly at the beginning (due to sloppy cueing) or in softer passages, may have slight dishing or edge warp but it will play through, may have diminished or irregular gloss, record will still provide an enjoyable listen; Labels may have significant ring or rubbing wear, lifting damage, more prominent writing or sticker residue, a drill hole, some soiling or staining; Original sleeves may have splits, ring wear or rubbing wear, significant edge wear, writing, corner dings, creasing, soiling, or drill holes.Good (G): A very infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a higher grade. Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, limited gloss, significant noise on playback but will play through (with any skips noted); Labels may have glaring writing, significant ring or rubbing wear, extensive sticker residue, soiling or staining; Original sleeves (if applicable) may have significant ring wear, multiple seam splits, taping, prominent writing. I use additional pluses and minuses frequently, to fine tune the ratings. PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOS - I TRY TO SHOW ALL SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS! If you have questions or need additional photos or sound samples, just ask!
Items are guaranteed - the purchase price and all shipping costs, to and fro, are refunded if the item is returned in the same condition as dispatched (for Still Sealed items, they must be Still Sealed).
Here is a primo copy of the original release, one of those original 500 copies, perhaps the best you will ever see. (This has been re-released more than once). This came from the collection of Mark Lee, manager of Kenny and the Kasuals. And, he is the "Mark" of Mark Records which, for the most part, only released "Kenny and the Kasuals" titles. It includes a letter signed by Mark Lee on Mark Records stationary, dated 4/23/2008, attesting to the fact that it is one of the original 500 and "quite possibly the best of 500 copies" (see photo of letter).
In the letter, Mark Lee refers to it as a "mint copy". Here is my grading (I do not use mint). Vinyl grades NM: it really is very clean; there are a couple of superfine hairlines on Side A but they cannot be felt and do not affect playback; otherwise clean and glossy; solid loud excellent NM player. Labels grade VG+++: have to tick down for a couple of spindles; otherwise very clean with solid black color and sharp silver graphics. Outer sleeve grades VG+++: shrink is intact for about 90% of the front and about a third of the back; lower right corner (looking from the front) has been bumped causing a 3/4" split at that corner; other corners are clean and square; very light aging/handling wear on rear cover along open edge; one small stain on rear cover; photos and graphics are clear and bright; very clean cover. I have included pictures of each corner. The first two are the lower right with the split - an edge view and a straight-on view. The third and fourth are the lower left corner - again an edge view and a straight-on view. The fifth is the upper left corner, straight-on - since I used up my eBay allotment of picture, I only included one of this corner as it is the cleanest. The sixth and seventh are the upper right corner, straight-on and an edge view.
If you are looking for an end-all copy of this record for your collection, look no further. You will search hard to find any better and, as Mr. Lee suggests, there may BE no better. Overseas buyers - I am (almost) always willing to help you with your customs forms but the value here is too high for me to ship it by any other means than Priority Insured, which will require a customs declaration equal to the insured value.
Long live Texas garage!
First and foremost! Your satisfaction is of paramount importance. If you are dissatisfied FOR ANY REASON please let me know and anything that is within my power will be fixed.
US Standard Shipping is free! See below for the cost of US Priority Shipping and the cost of International Shipping. I recommend you wait for me to send you an invoice if there is a shipping charge - eBay's automatic shipping calculator is almost always higher than what I charge. If you do pay from the eBay calculation, and it is higher than the amount I have indicated below, I will refund the difference.
I ship using new packaging materials specifically designed for vinyl. I pack carefully, using pads and reinforcing the edges and corners with packing tape. I want the package to arrive in the condition it departs and do my utmost to make that happen. Shipping costs include the cost of the materials. I almost always ship within two days of a purchase, usually the next day; there will be a notice in my store if I am unable to meet that timeframe. Of course, I will combine shipping. In the event you want something you have purchased held pending the close of an upcoming auction in order that items can be shipped together, just let me know. I do not make money on packing and shipping.
I am happy to ship internationally. International shipping gets a bit more complicated, so I apologize for the length of this next section. Many buyers are not aware that eBay puts 100% of the responsibility for successful delivery on the seller; any problems or missing items are immediately charged back to the seller. For lower priced items, I use the most economical service available. Because of concerns and past problems with postal services in certain countries, in order to protect myself against loss on more expensive items, I use services with tracking/signing. I would rather not do this, since I recognize international shipping is costly enough, but it is too much risk on me for expensive items:For anything going anywhere up to $125, I ship by US First Class International, the least expensive US international mailing service.Anything over $125 (except packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany) requires Priority International with tracking. Priority International is the least expensive US international shipping option that provides insurance and tracking. It is a more expensive service than US First Class; to help defray the cost I pay for the insurance and do not charge for packing materials. Packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany will still qualify for US First Class International service up to a purchase of $250. Over $250, they also will use Priority International with tracking.It is important to know that USPS regulations require that packages sent Priority International have the insured value written on the custom declaration form in order for the insurance to be in force. Since packages shipped US First Class International do not carry insurance, the custom declaration is more flexible.I am happy to consider exceptions, particularly for successful repeat international customers, but it must be agreed in advance. I know shipping costs are high, so do not hesitate to message me to discuss options (but please do it before bidding or buying).Shipping rates:US Priority 12" (remember, standard US shipping is free): 1-3 12" for $11; 4-6 12" for $20; 7-9 12" for $23First Class International 12" (Canada $6 less): 1 12" for $24; 2 12" for $34; 3 12" for $45; 4 12" for $49Priority International 12" (Canada $8 less): Depending upon your location, 1-2 LPs will cost approximately $45 to ship, 3 LPs about $55. I cannot give a precise cost since they vary by country but those estimates are reliably close. Quotes provided for other quantities or mixed shipments.
Record Grading (always see photos!):
Note it is not possible for me to play-grade every LP. Grading is primarily visual; if I have questions about a certain marking or condition on an LP I will play specific sections to supplement the visual review. Generally, on higher dollar items, I do a full play-grading.
Mint (M): Only if sealed.Near Mint (NM): Vinyl shows very little evidence of use, retains nearly all of its original gloss, minimal markings, no warping or dishing; Labels are clean and crisp with no writing or sticker residue, no ring wear or rubbing wear, no significant spindle marking; Original sleeves are clean and square, solid spine, no writing, no splits, no ring wear, minimal edge wear.Very Good + (VG+): Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface may have light scuffs or hairline non-feelable scratches that do not significantly affect playback, still has a substantial amount of gloss, may have slight dishing or small edge warp that tracks without significant tonearm bobbing, any feelable marks will be minimal and playback effect described; Labels are clean with only minor ring or rubbing wear, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, limited soiling and no significant stains, drill hole is OK if label is otherwise clean, graphics and logos are clear and bright; Original sleeves are clean with no more than light ring wear, light edge wear, corners are square with no more than minor dings, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, one small seam split would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean, light creasing, drill hole would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean. Grading is all-encompassing, so multiple flaws of the type described will drop the grade.Very Good (VG): Vinyl will show significant use with scuffing or hairline scratches but plays through without skipping (or a very minor skip will be noted), any feelable scratches are noted including the effect on playback, may have light noise particularly at the beginning (due to sloppy cueing) or in softer passages, may have slight dishing or edge warp but it will play through, may have diminished or irregular gloss, record will still provide an enjoyable listen; Labels may have significant ring or rubbing wear, lifting damage, more prominent writing or sticker residue, a drill hole, some soiling or staining; Original sleeves may have splits, ring wear or rubbing wear, significant edge wear, writing, corner dings, creasing, soiling, or drill holes.Good (G): A very infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a higher grade. Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, limited gloss, significant noise on playback but will play through (with any skips noted); Labels may have glaring writing, significant ring or rubbing wear, extensive sticker residue, soiling or staining; Original sleeves (if applicable) may have significant ring wear, multiple seam splits, taping, prominent writing. I use additional pluses and minuses frequently, to fine tune the ratings. PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOS - I TRY TO SHOW ALL SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS! If you have questions or need additional photos or sound samples, just ask!
Items are guaranteed - the purchase price and all shipping costs, to and fro, are refunded if the item is returned in the same condition as dispatched (for Still Sealed items, they must be Still Sealed).
