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Black Sabbath : Vol 4 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press (Vertigo Swirl)

This first pressing plays to a fantastic standard with no actual interference.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops on either and this is easily one of the strongest Vol 4s that I have ever heard - the clarity, depth and resonance of the audio is so impressive and only the final track on S1 'Supernaut' has minimal amount of inner groove distortion - very minimal!  I'm sure a result of how it was produced/manufactured.  The closing track track on S2 'Under The Sun' is absolutely stunning and is Mint in every way.  I cannot emphasise enough just how impressive the audio is here and even the quieter tracks 'Changes' and 'FX' play with sublime quality.  The vinyl is also visually very impressive and has clearly been so well preserved over the last 50 years.  In my opinion this is a  FINAL UPGRADE pressing i.e. no need to purchase another to try and find better audio! 

The iconic cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and has barely any of the fading/marking around the edges that you so often see.  The original Swirl inner is in great condition also.

As this is a first pressing there is no Made In England on the label and on the inside of the gatefold it states the '...great Coke-Cola Company...'  The run outs on both sides also have the Porky and Pecko etchings which of course relates to the famous mastering engineer George Peckham.

6360071   1Y // 1   1 2 1 1 0   PORKY

6360071   2Y // 1   1 2 7   PECKO

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex very close to Ex+

The attached booklet is Mint

The labels are Near Mint-

The original Swirl inner is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition with an immaculate glossy sheen and there are no marks or scratches, it would be difficult find a cleaner version.  There is no groove wear or 'bag rash' and I can only see a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines under a certain light.  The run out grooves are pristine and the Vertigo labels are unmarked apart from some spindle wear on both sides but not an excessive amount.

Play grading  

The entire intro on 'Wheels Of Confusion' has no sign of any interference and that deep powerful typical Sabbath sound is very much in evidence.  Osbourne's opening vocal is just as impressive and it continues in exactly the same way.  Through every vocal and instrumental section there is NO 'background' and the mid instrumental passage is a case in point, 'as new' sums it up perfectly.  As Osbourne's voice bursts back in there is no let up in quality and the classic final section plays is as sharp and precise as anything as I have heard before.  This first pressing is 50 years old this month and yet the clarity and definition of the audio here is spectacular!  There is not even a single dust tick and Iommi's work has never played better.  There really is such depth and resonance to the music.  Even the long fade out has no 'background'!  A sublime Mint start to this classic album there is no need for a minus here.

From start to finish 'Tomorrow's Dream' plays to the same 'high end' standard with no intrusion on the audio.  Again the sheer clarity of sound is stunning and it honestly plays like it has never been played before!  There is no distortion and this is without doubt another Mint track.

'Changes' so often plays with static/crackle but this is one of the finest versions I have heard in many a year.  The piano intro has no 'background' and the first vocal then plays with impeccable clarity.  A couple of barely audible static moments that really do not warrant a mention.  This standard is kept up as it progresses with no ticks, clicks or pops and none of the static distortion on the top end of the vocal that you so often find.  The more I listen to it the more impressed I am, the playback is exceptional!  Did I say one of the finest versions?  This is up there with the best, the clarity and warmth of the audio cannot be faulted.  A truly STUNNING Mint- version.

The even quieter 'FX' plays with a clarity that defies the age of the album with no interference at all.  There is no intrusive static and Mint- is very much deserved.

The percussive intro on 'Supernaut' is faultless as is Iommi's intro.  The opening vocal is just as strong and from then on plays with genuine power and depth and with very barely any of the inner groove distortion that is so often prevalent on this final track.  The mid instrumental section is a prime example of that and Ward's solo is breathtaking!  The final vocal has only a minimal amount of distortion but in a sense should not be downgraded because of it as it is always there.  It is non-intrusive in my opinion anyway.  The long fade out has only a couple of light ticks at the very end and overall I will grade as Near Mint even if that is a little harsh.

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'Snowblind' on S2 plays with imperious quality from the very first groove.  The opening two verses are 'as new' and it continues to play with sublime clarity and power.  I detected only a couple of very minor ticks and it has that 'fresh' sound as per a new vinyl.  Iommi's end solo is flawless and there is nothing to detract from the stunning audio.  Mint-

The deep, menacing intro on 'Cornucopia' plays to perfection and as the vocal comes in the clarity of sound really stands out.  The sonic quality throughout is phenomenal!  It demands to be played loud and there is no distortion on the top end.  Pure dynamic audio with no interference - as good a version that you could wish for and is Mint in every way.  What a version!

'Laguna Sunrise' plays beautifully from start to finish with no clicks or pops and only a handful of mega quiet dust ticks.  The clarity is outstanding, it really could not play any better and Mint is again deserved.  Each note is so clean and precise and there is no underlying static 'getting in the way' of the playback. 

A couple of light clicks in the dead wax between tracks and then the intro on 'St. Vitus Dance' plays with no intrusion and continues in the same manner.  No need to elaborate this is another 'good as new' track.  Mint

The final track 'Under The Sun' plays with great quality from the get go.  In a sense what strikes you first is the total lack of distortion - the sonic quality is as good as anything I have heard before and there is no interference whatsoever.  The clarity cannot be faulted and I cannot emphasise enough just how strong and clear the audio is.  Not many final tracks of this age play as well as this!  Each vocal and instrumental section play with STUNNING clarity and definition and the power of the audio is undimmed despite being 50 years old.  The end section is STUNNING and I have no hesitation in grading this as MINT - I do not want to repeat myself but this has to be the strongest version I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.

In summary this first Vertigo pressing plays to standard you so rarely find today.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is sensational and there are no clicks or pops on either side.  There is no annoying static and only the final track on S1 has the bare minimum of distortion which is in no way intrusive.  The final track on S2, 'Under The Sun', quite simply plays with a quality that can only be described 'as new'.  This record may have been played a few times but surely only on high end equipment which has ensured it has retained 100% its original sonic quality.  A FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic in every way.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The matt textured cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and the 4 page photo booklet is still firmly attached to the inside.  The edges have only minimal rubbing and the wide spine is also very clean with only light rubbing and is still 100% legible.  The bottom corners have a little wear but nothing major and the top edges are very clean with very little wear.  The opening edge has only minimal handling wear, a small number of minor 'crimps' and for once the front cover is extremely clean without any marking and only a handful of minor creases around the edges.  The back cover is just as  impressive with just a minor crease bottom left.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and the booklet is unmarked also. A fine example of this iconic cover.

This album was often issued without a Swirl inner but I am pleased to say there is one included here and it remains in excellent condition with no side splits or tears, barely any marking and only minimal creasing.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

6360071   1Y // 1   1 2 1 1 0   PORKY

6360071   2Y // 1   1 2 7   PECKO

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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