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Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 1Y1 / 2Y1 2nd Press

This second pressing on the Vertigo label plays to a fantastic standard with no obvious interference.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is exceptional and there are no clicks or pops and barely any static.  As always I have played every track in full so as to provide a comprehensive grading and the sheer precision of the audio on both sides cannot be faulted.  The sonic quality is up there with the best I have ever heard.

The vinyl has not been overplayed and visually it is stunning.  It is so clean and has been so well preserved over the years.  The cover is in excellent condition with only minor wear and for once the inside is very impressive with very little marking.  This particular one has the band member, production and publishing credits in small letters and Ozzy is still incorrectly spelt as Ossie.

This second press has the large Swirl logo above the spindle hole and VERTIGO written below Black Sabbath at the bottom of the label.  And of course there is no break between the second and third track on S2.  It has the 1Y1/2Y1 matrix which was also on the first press.

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 9 1 5

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 9 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint- / T4 intro Ex for 4/5 seconds)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Ex

Visual grading

This vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen.  At first glance you would think it was 'as new'!  There are no marks or scratches and it is only on close inspection that you can find a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines - there is just one very small hairline on S2 that is a little more obvious.  There is no groove wear or 'bag rash' and the run out grooves are pristine also.  The large swirl Vertigo labels are so clean with no marking or writing and not very much spindle wear.  This is easily one of the most visually impressive second pressings I have seen...or heard!

Play grading  

The 'thunderstorm / bell toll' intro on 'Black Sabbath' is stunning - the playback is so clean and rarely does it play with such precision.  I heard only a couple of very light dust ticks, nothing else.  What a start!  Iommi's intro is 'as new' and the quieter section that follows is just as impressive.  Osborne's first vocal has no ticks, clicks or static and I detected only a minor touch of distortion on a couple of notes.  It continues to play with great quality with just a hint of distortion on the final vocal, it is hardly intrusive.  Iommi's 'sound' is as strong and deep as you would want throughout this classic and the up tempo end section is a prime example of that.  The sonic quality here is outstanding!  It is so powerful and there is no distortion on the top end.  I think a Near Mint- grade is about right.

The harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' is faultless as is the remainder of this opening section.  There is literally no 'background' and the opening vocal keeps up the good work with perfect clarity.  This standard is maintained throughout - every vocal and instrumental section plays with supreme quality and Mint- is very much deserved.

'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' plays with stunning clarity and power from the very first groove and the quality does not diminish in any way the further you progress into it.  Once again there is no 'background' and it plays with that familiar depth and resonance that you only get from a vinyl that has been very well cared for down the years.  The percussive end section is flawless as is the fade out.  No need for a minus here this is Mint in every way!

The first part of the bass intro on 'N.I.B.' has a little background static but the second half is perfect.  As Iommi joins in there is just a minor amount of static distortion for the first 3/4 seconds but it is not intrusive and the first vocal is 'as new'.  It then plays with exceptional clarity and power with no sign of any interference and no inner groove distortion.  This is a sensational version and Iommi's work is second to none here, his final solo could not play any better!  The intro is Ex but the rest is Mint in my opinion.  What a side!

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'Evil Woman...' plays with tremendous quality from the get go and this continues throughout.  There is no interference, just that familiar deep rich Sabbath tone that sounds as good as it would have done over 50 years ago!  It provides a Mint- start to the side.

The quiet intro on 'Sleeping Village' is so clean with only one very light tick, there is no background static.  The opening vocal is faultless and Iommi's first piece also plays with superb clarity, power and depth - in fact this entire instrumental section could not play any better, it is STUNNING!  Each note is so sharp and precise and the final extended note has no background either.  I will grade as Mint- but I am sure I would be forgiven if the minus was omitted!

The segue into 'Warning' is perfect and the heavy bass/guitar intro is equally as good.  Osbourne's first vocal has no interference and this classic continues to play with sublime precision.  On such a well preserved vinyl Butler's bass adds so much to the 'sound' and that is very much in evidence here.  The sonic quality is so strong and deep and that is the case through every section.  The second vocal is perfect and the 'percussive' section that follows plays 'as new' with no intrusion.  The clarity is on another level here and the brief quiet section has just one mega light tick but for once there is no underlying static.  Iommi's stand alone solos are so sharp and precise and I cannot emphasise enough just how fantastic the overall sound quality is throughout this classic and is easily one of the finest versions I have ever heard!  As I say the clarity is just off the scale!  Even the momentary silent section towards the end is...totally silent!  There are a couple of very light ticks soon after but they are not intrusive in any way, this is vinyl!  Iommi's long extended note as you approach the end is crystal clear and the final section including the vocal is flawless.  I am confident again in grading this as Mint- it really is a stunning version.  No clicks, pops or static just a couple of very light ticks.

In summary it does not get much better than this!  This early Vertigo pressing plays with sublime quality on both sides with barely any intrusion and there are no clicks or pops to be heard.  The clarity, power and definition is so impressive and if S1 is stunning then S2 is stunning and then some!!  It is without doubt one of the strongest S2s I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  This is a record that has been so well preserved down the years and that is very much reflected in the sonic quality on offer here.  A STUNNING album in so many ways!

The Gatefold & 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

The matt textured cover is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear and it has retained its original shape and structure extremely well with no bends or creasing.  The top edges are perfect and only the bottom edges have some rubbing and a little more towards the right hand corners.  The wide spine is in fantastic condition with only minimal wear on the corners and the other corners are excellent order with only minimal wear also.  The opening edge is very clean with very little wear.  The front cover has just one small scuff mark just above Sabbath but it is light and not immediately obvious.  The back cover is pristine and for once the inside of the gatefold is very impressive with none of the obvious marking/fading that you so often see.  It has only a couple of minor marks and a few faint white specks which is common.  A fine example of this iconic cover.

The original poly-lined swirl inner (date coded 0171) is in excellent condition and has no side splits or tears just some age related fading around the edges and some minor 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

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 9 1 5

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 9 1

At the moment eBay do not allow shipping to Russia due to the ongoing crisis.  Apologies to my Russian customers, you know who to blame.

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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ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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