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AT SPIRAL CLASSICS I take great care over grading my vinyl records for condition. I believe that great classical music recordings deserve to be heard at their best.
I also provide a record-cleaning service for purchases.
Based in the UK, I send LPs worldwide.
You will find information below about
Ordering and contact information may be found on the contact page.
You may like to note that all this information may also be found in my catalogue.
Most of the records in this catalogue are second hand (used). Any new LPs say NEW after the price.
Otherwise, I use the following gradings:
Records in poor condition are not usually included in the catalogue.
Sleeves are in similar condition to the LP, or better, unless I describe a problem.
An "E-" sleeve is very nearly excellent. A "V/E" sleeve has minor wear to its edges, a small tear, or some tape.
Please ask me if you want more information about a sleeve.
I am aiming to provide reliably graded records, & I examine records very carefully, & try out any visible marks on my office turntable (a Garrard 401) to see if they sound. When a mark sounds quite softly, I describe this as 'ticks'. Loud sounds are described as 'clicks'. I realise that different equipment may produce different results. I aim to provide enough guidance on condition for you to choose the condition you find acceptable.
As a rule of thumb, I expect records graded 'E' or 'V/E' to sound perfect, unless I mention a problem in the text. I suggest you try out my 'G' grade to see if this grading is acceptable to you. 'F' grade records are still playable, & can be good value if you are not irritated by some noise on records.
Established collectors will know already that early pressings often have more surface noise than later issues. My practice is to adjust my gradings to take account of this.
Return to topAll vinyl records, however well cared for, gradually acumulate dust in the grooves, resulting in "ticky" noises even on LPs that look perfect. I have a Keith Monks Record Cleaning Machine, which gently brushes each side of the LP with a mixture of alcohol & distilled water, and then vacuums off the fluid and dirt giving a very much quieter surface. Unless you have access to a similar machine yourself I do recommend you to ask me to clean your records before despatching them. The charge of £1.75 per LP includes a new inner sleeve.
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(in margin) = Audiophile recording, i.e recognised as being of exceptional sound quality, or claimed to be so by the record company
(in margin) = "Spiral Classics" recommendation of selected recordingsAll records are stereophonic unless one of the following codes appears:
My catalogue includes a brief description of the record label where this may be helpful to the collector.
For Decca SXL 2000s and SXL 6000s up to about SXL 6400, I describe the original label as 'wide band'.
The earliest wide band pressings have a groove in the vinyl about 1 cm in from the outer edge of the label. These are described as "groove pressings".
I describe the next label as 'narrow band'. This is the later label for Decca SXL issues up to about 6400, and the original label for SXL 6449 onwards. Some LPs between SXL 6400 & 6449 have no wide band label.
If I say that the label is "wide band" or "narrow band" the pressing is always an English pressing. For other Decca labels, such as SOL, DSLO, ZRG, SPA, I generally describe the pressing - English or Dutch. But please note that ECS & SDD labels are almost always English pressings, so I don't describe the pressing unless it is Dutch.
For ASD and SAX labels I describe the label, & say "original" if it is the first label for that record code.
For mono issues, I describe the label on Decca pressings (gold/orange is the earliest). If I don't describe the label on a 33CX or an ALP then it has the original label.
If you are not certain that a copy has the right pressing or label for you, please ask.
Return to topI give 10% discount on large orders. Large orders must total over £1,000 AND contain at least 25 items. I will also give 10% discount for orders of 50 items or more, even if the total is less than £1,000.
Return to topI can accept payment by Visa or Mastercard or most British Debit cards.
Please tell me the 16 digit number, the expiry date, the start date, the issue number (if any) and the SECURITY NUMBER. (The last 3 digits, on the back of the card, above your signature).
I advise you to send me your card details by fax or phone, or post them to me. If you want to email me I suggest you send me two separate emails, with part of the card details in each email. I suggest you wait a few hours before sending the second email.
UK: Please make Cheques or Postal Orders payable to M.S. Singer.
Overseas: Please pay in Sterling (GBP), by a cheque that names a bank in England. Or you can sent me an International Money Order, or cash in GBP in a registered (insured) letter. I can also accept US Dollars or Euros in cash. But there is an additional fee for payment in Dollars or Euros. Please ask me for details.Please write your cheque or International Money Order out to M.S. Singer.
Return to top| No of LPs | Cost of p & p | |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 LPs | £3.75 | |
| 3 LPs | £5.00 | |
| 3 LPs (if they include a boxed set) | £6.25 | |
| 4 LPs | £6.25 | |
| 4 LPs (if they include a boxed set) | £6.50 | |
| 5 LPs | £6.50 | |
| 6 LPs (if they don't include a boxed set) | £6.50 | |
| 7 LPs or more (includes £50 Compensation cover) | £9.25 | |
| 7 LPs or more (includes £100 Compensation cover) | £12.50 | |
| 7 LPs or more (includes £250 Compensation cover) | £16.00 |
Higher levels of compensation cover are available.
Parcels of 1-3 LPs or less are sent by Royal Mail, with no extra insurance. Extra compensation cover can be added to parcels of 4-6 LPs (£1 gives £100 compensation cover - higher levels of compensation cover are available). I send parcels of 7 LPs or more, by Royal Mail or DHL. If you want to choose which carrier please tell me.
For small parcels of 1–6 LPs that are valuable (up to £500) I can use Royal Mail Special Delivery: then P&P is £7.00 for 1 LP, £8.25 for 2 LPs, £10.00 for 3–6 LPs (must be under 2kg). Please enquire for higher levels of insurance.
£2.00 (max) charge per parcel for packing, plus airmail postage at cost.
I use small packets (under 2 kg) if this gives a substantial saving.
I recommend the "signed for" service for small packets, at an extra cost of £3.50 for insurance up to £36.00, or £5.50 for higher insurance. The "signed for" service gives each parcel a tracking number & should prevent a parcel being lost. Small packets without "signed for" have no insurance & cannot be traced if lost.
The post & packing charge for larger parcels sent by airmail includes insurance of up to £2,500.
If you prefer the least expensive postage I can sometimes send small packets by surface mail. Please ask.
I always try to find the most economical way of sending your order. I choose the carrier that gives the cheapest price, and good service.
Return to topI am happy to be able to say that I have had very, very few complaints over the condition of any of the LPs I have supplied, no doubt because of the care I take over grading. However, if you should feel that the condition of a record you receive does not match my grading or description, please email, fax or phone me immediately. Please do not return any LPs before you have heard from me in reply. All complaints should be made within 7 days of your receiving the LPs.
In the event of any returns, I am afraid that I cannot normally undertake to refund any payment made in respect of the optional record cleaning service or postage. LPs for return should be securely packed, preferably in their original packaging.
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