Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 1Y1 / 2Y1 3rd Press

This third pressing on the Vertigo label is stunning!  The sonic quality is outstanding and when I say the audio is 'as new' I am not joking!  There is just one light click on S2 but that is the only intrusion on the audio, the clarity throughout is breathtaking.  The vinyl is also visually stunning with no marks or scratches.

Not only that but the iconic cover is also in superb condition with no obvious shelf wear.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE pressing that has been so well preserved down the years and only lightly played judging by the audio quality and the minimal spindle wear.  The original swirl inner is super clean, a superb example.

This pressing has a smaller 'swirl' logo on the Side B label and VERTIGO is also written above the spindle hole.  The cover still has 'Ozzy' incorrectly spelt as 'Ossie' and it has the full composition and publishing credits written in lower case.

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VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 3

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 3 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (Track 2 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Near Mint

Play grading  

The 'thunderstorm / bell toll' intro on 'Black Sabbath' is as Mint as could be with no 'background' at all.  A stunning start!  As Iommi's guitar comes in there is no let up in quality and even during the first 'quieter' passage there is not even a single dust tick.  The first vocal section is also 'as new' and it continues to play with unbelievable quality.  You just do no find clarity like this on these early Vertigo pressings and yet this is what we have here!  I'm not sure I've heard a better version - every quiet section plays with impeccable clarity and there is no distortion on the top end.  The classic end section is flawless and the depth of the audio can only be from a vinyl that has only ever been lightly played.  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as the audio just could not be any more impressive.

The long intro on 'The Wizard' is again so clean.  With only one mega light tick it is nigh on perfect and it progresses in exactly the same way.  This is another breathtaking version and every note can be heard with such distinct precision.   This is Mint- from start to finish and I cannot emphasise enough just how impressive the clarity, depth and power of audio has been so far.  Wow!

'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' is of the same 'high end' standard.  It has no 'background' and every section again is faultless.  Even the percussive end section is 'as new'.  If you're lucky enough to win this album just listen to each percussive note - they reverberate so clearly, the clarity is amazing!  Mint is again deserved.

How often does the bass intro on 'N.I.B.' have no 'background'?  This is one of those!  A Mint intro and the quality does not diminish the further you get into the track.  For once there is no distortion and this truly is an outstanding version.  With no sign of any interference this is Mint from the first groove to the last.  The end solo is exceptional and again I will point out that there is no distortion of any kind, a rarity indeed.  The best S1 I have ever heard on their debut?  Quite possibly :-)

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'Evil Woman...' plays with wonderful depth and clarity from outset.  It continues where S1 left off and you cannot fault the audio.  No need to over elaborate this is Mint from the first note to the last.

The quiet intro on 'Sleeping Village' plays with stunning precision i.e. no 'background' and having listened to it twice now you cannot help but admire the quality of the vinyl.  It has been so well preserved resulting in the audio we have had so far.  The only negative with this track (the first on the album!) is one light click at the end.  I will have to grade as Near Mint- because of it but the remainder is Mint...of course!

The heavy bass/guitar intro on 'Warning' is 'as new' and the opening verses play with immaculate precision also.  During the entire 10 minutes of this classic the only 'background' I heard was 4/5 very light ticks in the drum solo section.  However, they are so quiet and totally non-intrusive and are much closer to dust ticks than clicks if you understand me!  The brief quiet passage that follows is exactly that - quiet with not even a dust tick.  The next instrumental section is incredible and Butler's bass adds so much to the track here.  As it progresses you are again left in wonder at the fantastic clarity on offer here.  The stand alone Iommi solos are spectacular.  Often quiet and yet they all play to the same sublime standard.  Honestly you would not believe the audio here!  It is just 'as new' I can pay it no higher compliment.  ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!  The final verse has no interference and right to the end this plays with a quality that you so rarely find today.  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- although I am not entirely sure if the minus is requried.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE early pressing is a time warp classic.  I have listened to so many of these and yet this is quite possibly the most stunning example I have encountered.  I hope I have adequately described the level of clarity we have here - put simply you would be very pleased if you had just bought it from a high quality record shop!  The definition of the audio and the sonic quality is exceptional and the only obvious 'background' is one light click on S2!  No static or crackle this is audio of the highest order and it comes complete with a superb cover and swirl inner also.

Visual grading

This is a beautiful vinyl and retains an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  You would think it was 'as new' at first look!  There are no marks or scratches and I can only detect a couple of ultra fine hairlines on Side A and only 3/4 on Side B.  They are not easy to find believe me!  Both sides have a glorious visual quality but Side A in particular is stunning!  Undoubtedly this is one of the finest Vertigo vinyls you are ever likely to see and the run out grooves are equally as impressive.

The Gatefold

The matt textured cover is also in fantastic condition with no obvious shelf wear.  It is still so strong and retains its original shape with no bends or creases which confirms it has only been very lightly and carefully handled.  The edges have almost zero rubbing and the wide spine is perfect and of course is 100% legible.  Remarkably there is barely any corner wear and the opening edge looks untouched.  The front cover is immaculate with no marking or creasing and the back cover is almost as good with only one tiny white 'speck' and one very minor corner crease top left, but that is being super critical!  The inside of the gatefold is so often affected by fading/spotting but this one is super clean with only a small number of 'specks' and no fading.  This truly is a stunning example of this iconic cover, it would be difficult to find better.

The 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined swirl inner is in superb shape and the first thing you notice is how clean it is.  Obviously it has hardly ever been removed from the cover!  There are no side splits, no age related fading and barely any creasing.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in lovely condition with no marking or writing and only a minimal amount of spindle wear.

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

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 3

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 3 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

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