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

This second pressing on the Vertigo label plays to a super standard with no interference.  A handful of mega light ticks that's about all and the clarity, depth and precision of the audio on both sides is stunning.  This is in my opinion a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic and is easily one of finest early pressings I have ever listened to.

One reason why the sonic quality is so impressive is because the record has been hardly played.  The surfaces are so clean, just some minor 'bag rash' on Side B, and there is barely any spindle wear.  The vinyl has been so well preserved and for once the cover has been also.  So often you find an immaculate vinyl but due to house moves etc the cover is not as good but that is certainly not the case here.  It is in fantastic condition and Near Mint is a correct grade, I doubt if you could find better!  This version has the band member, production and publishing credits in small letters.  Ozzy is still incorrectly spelt as Ossie on the inside.

This second press has the large 'Swirl' logo above the spindle hole and VERTIGO written below Black Sabbath at the bottom of the label.  It also has the 1Y1/2Y1 matrix which was on the first press.

VO 6   1Y * 1   420  1 2 1 6

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 1 5 

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Near Mint

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.  Side A basically looks 'as new' as there are no marks or scratches and I cannot locate any obvious hairlines either.  Side B again has no marks or scratches but there has been some 'bag rash' that has resulted in some very faint 'lines'.  This is common with poly-lined inners and do not be alarmed!  It is so faint and is purely superficial as it does not affect the stunning quality of the audio in any way.  There are again no hairlines on this side either.  The large swirl Vertigo labels are superb and have no marking or writing and barely any spindle wear.  One of the best second pressings I have ever encountered with audio to match.

Play grading  

The 'thunderstorm / bell toll' intro on 'Black Sabbath' is stunning and 'as new' sums it up perfectly.  Probably the finest intro I have ever heard!  There is no 'background' and this quality is maintained when Iommi comes in.  The next quiet section has only a couple of dust ticks and Osborne's first vocal then plays with unbelievable clarity once more.  There is no background static and only a couple of very light ticks just before the 'Oh no'!  It continues to play with great power and resonance during the louder sections and with genuine precision in the quieter ones.  The up tempo end section is so powerful ends this classic opening track with no interference or distortion.  A sublime Mint- start to the album.

The harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' has only a couple of dust ticks and again the clarity is so impressive.  As the volume increases there is no let up in quality and the opening vocal is faultless.  It proceeds in the same way with no intrusion on the audio - no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Every vocal and instrumental section plays with outstanding audio and Mint- is again very much deserved.  Not sure the minus is even required!

'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' plays with stunning precision from the get go.  The intro is 'as new' and first verse is close to perfect with just one very light tick at the end, you could easily miss it!  From then on it plays with a clarity, power and depth you only get from a vinyl that has been so carefully handled down the years.  It has that 'as new' deep resonant tone that is typical Sabbath and even the percussive end section has no 'background'.  Mint-

The bass intro on 'N.I.B.' is incredibly clean.  There is no background static and only one light tick towards the end.  As Iommi joins in the playback is flawless and the Osbourne's first vocal is just as good.  It then plays with exceptional clarity and power with no sign of any interference and for once there is no inner groove distortion.  Iommi's final solo could not play any better!  As always I have listened to every second so as to provide a 'complete' grade and suffice to say this plays with outstanding quality and Mint- is again a fair assessment of the audio.  What a side!

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'Evil Woman...' carries on where S1 left off and plays with tremendous quality throughout.  A couple of barely audible ticks that is all - there is no need to elaborate this is Mint- in every way.

The quiet intro on 'Sleeping Village' is more or less perfect with only a couple of very quiet static sounds and the opening vocal is also very impressive with no intrusion.  As Iommi's familiar sound comes in the audio is out of this world!  This long instrumental section is easily one of the finest examples I have ever heard as there is just no interference to be heard.  Each note is so clean and the audio definition is sublime.  Iommi's final extended note has just a minor hint of background static but it is so quiet and Mint- is still deserved.

The segue into 'Warning' has no 'background' and the heavy bass/guitar intro is faultless.  Osbourne's opening vocal has no interference and this 10 minute classic continues to play with stunning precision.  There is one very light tick prior to the second vocal (easily missed!) and then the percussive section around the 3 minute mark is stunning as is the following quiet section - just a couple of light ticks, not clicks I hasten to add!  The clarity, power and depth throughout this instrumental is so impressive and Butler's bass always adds so much to the overall sound.  The clarity is on another level here and Iommi's stand alone solos are unbelievably clean.  In essence there is no intrusion on the audio - I only heard a couple of very light static 'moments' but they are so quiet and hardly warrant a mention.  I cannot overstate just how well this plays, it is a superb version!  Even Iommi's long extended note as you approach the end is so clear with almost zero static and then the final section including the vocal is flawless.  I am confident again in grading this as Mint- the audio quality really cannot be faulted, it is a stunning version.

In summary this very early Vertigo pressing plays with imperious quality on both sides with no interference of any kind.  The clarity, power and definition is so impressive and it's not often you find one that has no clicks or pops!  From the immaculate 'thunderstorm' intro alone you are thinking this is going to play well and it does not disappoint!  This is a record that has been so well preserved down the years and as stated you can tell that it has hardly been played which is reflected in the quality of the audio.  It is without doubt one of the finest second pressings I have ever listened to!  A STUNNING FINAL UPGRADE album in every way.

The Gatefold & 'Swirl' Inner Sleeve

The matt textured cover is in superb condition and you will not find many better if any!  It has retained its shape and structure so well and has no bends or creasing.  The top edges are perfect and the bottom edges have only a couple of barely visible 'rubs'.  The wide spine is in fantastic condition with no sign of any wear and all the corners are also remarkably clean with barely any rubbing/creasing and the opening edge is pristine.  The front and back cover are immaculate with no marking and the inside of the gatefold is so clean compared to so many.  It is close to perfect with only a couple of minor 'white' specks and for once it has none of the fading/spotting that you so often see.  A STUNNING example.

The original poly-lined swirl inner (date coded 0970) is in superb shape and has no side splits, tears or marking and only a little creasing mainly in one corner.

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 2 1 6

VO 6   2Y * 1   420  1 2 1 5

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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