Magic Magic Mountain 147606 Private Press Swiss Garage Beat Signed
Item History & Price
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The story, as told on the rear sleeve, is that Hans Thorner, an early ski resort owner and enthusiast who... ran the ski school at the Magic Mountain Resort in Vermont, would journey to Europe to import ski instructors for the season. He stumbled on this quartet somewhere in the Swiss Alps entertaining at a small club and discovered that they were ski instructors to boot. So he brought them over to his resort for a season and, in the course of that dual engagement, they recorded this album. No year is indicated but I am guessing 1970 or so, given the cover of Chicago's "Make Me Smile". It is reminiscent of many 60's garage pop albums, full of covers that have been mastered through many evening small club engagements - rock, pop, standards. The four members have signed the back cover with a salutation to "Linda". It all comes together, like being there at the Abracadabra Lounge on Magic Mountain, sipping on an adult beverage by the roaring fire. Heavy vinyl grades VG+++: only a couple of light marks that cannot be felt and do not affect playback keep it from NM; excellent gloss; NM player. Labels grade NM: clean and unmarked (they are yellow-orange, one of the pictures looks yellow). Outer sleeve grades VG++: edge wear and chipping, especially along bottom edge; small red pen mark on rear; aforementioned band signatures; aging/yellowing; a few tiny aging spots on rear; light corner bumps; front photo and graphics are in excellent shape; clean clear graphics and picture of the chalet on the rear. Cool piece that hardly ever shows up.
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 three days of a purchase; 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 $12; 4-6 12" for $21; 7-9 12" for $25First 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 $52 to ship, 3 LPs about $65. 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).
The story, as told on the rear sleeve, is that Hans Thorner, an early ski resort owner and enthusiast who... ran the ski school at the Magic Mountain Resort in Vermont, would journey to Europe to import ski instructors for the season. He stumbled on this quartet somewhere in the Swiss Alps entertaining at a small club and discovered that they were ski instructors to boot. So he brought them over to his resort for a season and, in the course of that dual engagement, they recorded this album. No year is indicated but I am guessing 1970 or so, given the cover of Chicago's "Make Me Smile". It is reminiscent of many 60's garage pop albums, full of covers that have been mastered through many evening small club engagements - rock, pop, standards. The four members have signed the back cover with a salutation to "Linda". It all comes together, like being there at the Abracadabra Lounge on Magic Mountain, sipping on an adult beverage by the roaring fire. Heavy vinyl grades VG+++: only a couple of light marks that cannot be felt and do not affect playback keep it from NM; excellent gloss; NM player. Labels grade NM: clean and unmarked (they are yellow-orange, one of the pictures looks yellow). Outer sleeve grades VG++: edge wear and chipping, especially along bottom edge; small red pen mark on rear; aforementioned band signatures; aging/yellowing; a few tiny aging spots on rear; light corner bumps; front photo and graphics are in excellent shape; clean clear graphics and picture of the chalet on the rear. Cool piece that hardly ever shows up.
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 three days of a purchase; 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 $12; 4-6 12" for $21; 7-9 12" for $25First 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 $52 to ship, 3 LPs about $65. 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).
