BLACK SABBATH VOL 4 1st PRESS 1Y1/2Y1 VERTIGO SWIRL *Stunning* AUDIO MINT-/MINT
£
150
$
199
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Description
Black Sabbath Vol. 4 : Original 1st Pressing 1Y1 / 2Y1
This genuine UK Vertigo first pressing plays with stunning immaculate audio and comes complete with the correct gatefold (booklet still attached) in excellent condition as is the original 'swirl' inner.
The original gatefold has the 'VO Price Code' on the back and no track times on the inside. The Side B label has 'Made in England', later pressings do not. The vinyl also has the hand etched Porky/Pecko on the run out grooves which is only seen on the first pressings.
6360071 / 1Y//1 / 1 21 6 / PORKY
6360071 / 2Y//1 / 1 21 8 / PECKO
The audio on S1 is Mint (track 3 is Near Mint / Mint-)
The audio on S2 is Mint (track 5 is Mint-)
The gatefold is Ex to Ex+
The original Vertigo inner is Ex
The Side A label is Ex+ the Side B label is Near Mint
Visual grading
This is visually stunning and it is no exaggeration to say that at first glance it looks 'as new'. it has a beautiful jet black glossy sheen and having looked under various lights I can safely say I could only detect a couple of very faint hairlines and there are obviously no scratches. This is a first pressing that has been so carefully looked after down the years and has lost none of its original quality and this reflects in the stunning audio as detailed below. There is not very much spindle wear so has only been lightly played in my opinion and also has super clean run out grooves. This is without doubt the cleanest first pressing I have ever seen. Absolutely stunning!
Play grading
There is no lead in static or crackle on S1 so you're immediately thinking this is going to play well - it does not disappoint! From the very first groove 'Wheels Of Confusion' plays with immaculate Mint audio the likes of which I have never heard before. There is no interference not even a solitary dust tick and in all honesty it plays as well as the day when first released back in '72. The definition on every note is sublime and the clarity is of the highest standard possible. This is why we listen to vinyl, the depth and power of the audio cannot be replicated by any other medium. This is audio that quite simply cannot be improved upon. I reiterate it is 100% Mint and whilst I know it isn't sealed this infinitely deserved the highest grading. Even the long fade out has no 'background' whatsoever! An absolutely breathtaking start to S1.
I am pleased to say 'Tomorrow Dream' is of exactly the same superb standard. No clicks, no pops, no static or crackle and no distortion just pure unadulterated Mint audio once more. The sonic quality is stunning and again it plays with such incredible power and the bass is just so strong on this track.
This is the 'cleanest' version of 'Changes' I have ever encountered. A real test of this high quality vinyl due to it being such a quiet track it plays in exemplary fashion. If there was a click or pop I would mention it and there aren't any! The intro is 'high end' and this continues throughout. The odd mega light dust tick and a very minimal touch of light static on the top end but you expect that on any vinyl and this is nearly 46 years old! The true audiophile will still be blown away by the clarity here. To err on the side of caution I would grade this as Near Mint although I am sure many would grade it higher. The audio is still so impressive and for a genuine first press it still plays with fantastic precision and clarity.
'FX' just has to be heard to be believed! Possibly one of the quietest instrumentals ever recorded it plays nigh on perfectly. I am absolutely amazed by the audio here, the clarity could not be any better. So silent this is audio to die for! I am running out of superlative for this album. Ok I did hear two of the faintest dust ticks imaginable but I am confident in grading this as Mint again the audio could not be any clearer. Wow!
Not surprisingly 'Supernaut' plays with dynamic power from the get go. Final tracks on any side are often affected by interference but that is certainly not the case here. You can turn the volume up loud without fear of distortion and that is a rarity on this track. The audio is so powerful and the sonic quality is again just breathtaking. The drum solo section is sublime, stunning etc and even the extended fade out is perfect.
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'Snowblind' on plays to the same immaculate standard as per S1. A couple of mega faint dust ticks only there are no clicks or pops and the power and definition is sublime. There is no distortion on the top end and the clarity throughout is stunning. The solo towards the end plays 'as new' it is that good and the fade out also plays with perfect precision.
'Cornucopia' also displays audio of superlative quality. There is no interference of any kind and the depth and power of the recording simply could not be any better. Again I am running out of adjectives, I just cannot believe what I am hearing!
What follows is the cleanest version of the acoustic instrumental 'Laguna Sunrise' I have ever had the pleasure in listening to. The clarity is of the highest calibre and it is no exaggeration in saying every note plays 'as new' and this easily grades as Mint the audio is astounding. The fade out has no 'background' and plays perfectly.
'St. Vitus Dance' you won't be surprised to hear plays to the same standard. This may be getting a little repetitive now but I am a firm believer in listening to every second so as to provide a comprehensive grading and especially with highly collectable first pressings. This track plays with a definition and strength that is second to none. The separation is stunning i.e. there is no muddiness to the sound and you can hear each instrument so clearly including the vocal. In other words there is no distortion and the clarity is first class yet again. Absolutely no interference whatsoever!
The final track 'Under The Sun' does not disappoint with no clicks or pops and no crackle. I grade honestly as my regular customers know and the only 'background' I heard is a minimal touch of mega light static distortion on the top end every now and then. Remember I sit very closely to the speakers! It is in no way intrusive and the majority of sellers would not even mention it. It still 'rocks out' in superb fashion with stunning clarity and power and remains a fantastic listen. I would still grade this as Mint- and it provides a stunning end to a mind-blowing album.
In summary this genuine UK first pressing is a final upgrade archive version of that I am certain. I do not use terms like 'impossible to find etc etc' as that is clearly not the case but the audio here is so impressive and 99% plays 'as new'. There is also complete silence between every track which gives you another indication of just how well this vinyl has been preserved and it worth reiterating that there is not one single click or pop. The clarity and power is quite simply immaculate and I have never heard a better first press Vertigo swirl in all my years. With a very impressive 'first press' gatefold and super clean 'swirl' inner this would be a fantastic addition to any Mint collection.
The Gatefold
This is one very impressive gatefold! It is very clean indeed and comes complete with the four page inner booklet that is still 100% attached. The top edges have no shelf wear and whilst the bottom edges have some rubbing there is not too much. The wide spine is in great shape with only minor wear. The bottom corners have some wear but the top corners have hardly any and the opening edge is also extremely clean. The front cover is in wonderful condition with no marking and the back cover is exactly the same. The VO price Code can be seen on the back. The inside of the gatefold is in superb shape including the booklet. Overall this Vertigo gatefold is very impressive and it would be difficult to find a better one.
Vertigo Inner sleeve
The poly-lined large swirl Vertigo inner is in excellent condition and the first thing you notice is how clean it is. The only negative is a small tear on the 'window' of one side. There is very little creasing and hardly any fading.
The labels
The Vertigo swirl labels are in excellent condition with very little spindle wear. Side A just has one faint scrape line on it. There is no writing.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
6360071 / 1Y//1 / 1 21 6 / PORKY
6360071 / 2Y//1 / 1 21 8 / 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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.
COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
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7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra
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7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD
LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra
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