Black Sabbath : Never Say Die! 1st Press 1Y2 / 2Y2

This first pressing on the Vertigo spaceship label plays to the highest standard possible with no interference on any of the tracks.  The clarity and definition of the audio is so impressive and it is clear the record has hardly been played.  Now over 40 years of age there cannot be many as good as this around today and the vinyl is also visually stunning!

The laminated cover is in lovely condition with only very minimal wear and the picture inner has also been extremely well preserved.

9102 751  1Y // 2  STR  1 1 4  STRAWBERRY etched

9102 751  2Y // 2  STR6  1 1 STRAWBERRY etched

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-

The picture inner is Near Mint-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and retains an immaculate glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  There is only very minimal spindle wear on the S1 label and the run out grooves are also extremely clean and the matrix info can easily be seen.  A stunning example.

Play grading  

'Never Say Die' plays with stunning quality from the first groove to the last.  Much like with their previous album the production values may not be the strongest and the recording process in Toronto was difficult to say the least which is well documented!  Despite there are no ticks, clicks, pops or crackle and obviously no jumps!  A Mint start to the album.

With complete silence in the dead wax the 'synth' intro on 'Johnny Blade' cannot be faulted and the same can be said for the remainder of the track.  With literally no interference the audio is Mint without a doubt.

The quiet intro on 'Junior's Eyes' is superb with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and no underlying static which makes a change.  As the vocal begins the playback is 'as new' and it continues to play with sublime clarity and precision.  Every verse and chorus play to a 'high end' standard with no intrusion whatsoever.  There is one light click right at the end of the fade out but by then the track has finished anyway.  I will however grade as Mint- just to play it safe!

'Hard Road' plays with exceptional quality from start to finish with no interference.  There is no inner groove distortion and the long fade out has no 'background' either.  It could at all.   any better and continues in the same style for the remainder.  As always I listen to every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grading and again there is literally no interference.  Of course there still could be some 'background' due to groove wear for example but not here!  This is clearly a record that has not been overplayed and Mint is again fully justified.

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The intro on 'Shock Wave' is flawless and it progresses in exactly the same style.  No interference of any kind and again the clarity and power is so good.  The perfect fade out gives you a good idea of the clarity on offer here, not even a dust tick.  A superb Mint version.

'Air Dance' is stunning from the very first note.  This of course has many 'low key' sections and yet the clarity is again very impressive.  The very quiet instrumental mid section is a case in point and has only a small number of mega light dust ticks and one minor static tick.  The remainder plays to a fantastic standard with no 'background'.  Mint-

The intro on 'Over To You' is immaculate and the first vocal section is of the same quality.  Not typically Sabbath (is any of the album?!) but it nonetheless can be classified 'as new' as there is quite simply no interference of any kind.  The clarity and definition is so strong throughout and has another fade out with no 'background'.  This can easily be described as Mint

'Breakout' plays with perfect clarity from start to finish and again grades as Mint

'Swinging The Chain' ends the album with sublime quality once more and no interference.  Not one single click or pops, no underlying static and Mint is deserved for sure.

In summary this first pressing infinitely qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE album.  Yes it's not their best but if any collector is after a Mint copy then this is the one to own!  The clarity and depth of the audio on both sides is 'as new' and there is just no interference to be heard, no intrusion at all.

The Cover

The laminated cover is in superb condition with only very minimal shelf wear.  The top edge is perfect and the bottom edge is close to that with only a small amount of wear near the bottom right corner.  The other corners are in superb shape with no wear and the spine is 'as new'.  The opening edge has barely any handling wear.  The front cover is in super clean with no marking and the back cover is nearly as good with only a couple of minor and very faint scratch lines and a minimal amount of laminate lift next to the spine.  Overall a superb example.

The Inner Sleeve

The picture inner is in great condition with no side splits or tears and only a minor amount of ringwear.  There are 3/4 very faint 'spots' but are difficult to find!

The Labels

The Vertigo spaceship labels are near perfect with no marking or writing and only a couple of spindle lines on S1 and nothing on S2.

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

9102 751  1Y // 2  STR  1 1 4  STRAWBERRY etched

9102 750  2Y // 2  STR6  1 1 STRAWBERRY etched

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

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