BLACK SABBATH Sabbath Bloody Sabbath WWA Orig 73 EX+ LP

	£		44
	$		58

Artist or Band: BLACK SABBATH

Album Title: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

Producer(s): Black Sabbath.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath; A National Acrobat; Fluff; Sabbra Cadabra.

Side 2: Killing Yourself to Live; Who Are You; Looking for Today; Spiral Architect.

Label/Format: WWA (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both very clean and attractive with only ultra light and faint spindle traces and no wear around the hole area. This rock classic looks hardly even played.

Cat Number: WWA 005.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 114 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Moderate but far more are found as later pressings. WWA was the original label for this album after the demise of the Vertigo Spiral format which their first four titles appeared on, but even these have different matrixes. So many Sabbath albums are found on NEMS which are repressings.

Original Year of Release: 1973

Matrix Nos: WWA 005 1 Y 2 240 03 1 1 2 1 / WWA 005 2 Y 4 240 03 1 4

Musicians: Ozzy Osbourne - vocals, synthesiser, hand claps; Tony Iommi - guitars, piano; synthesiser; flute, organ, acoustic guitar, steel guitar, harpsichord; bagpipes; Geezer Butler - bass guitar; fuzz bass; synthesiser, mellotrons; hand claps; nose; Bill Ward - drums, timpani, fuzz bass drum; percussion. Guest: Rick Wakeman - piano, synthesiser.

Brief Info: Brilliant fifth album from the masters of metal gloom and the album that really got them noticed by the masses. Slightly more commercial and more accessible for many non-fans, this album really took the band into the rock super-league and boosted sales of the earlier classics. With more use of varied instruments the songs are still dark but not as doomy and bleak as previous. The instrumental ‘Fluff’ is a beautiful delicate piece with Iommi switching his heavy guitar riffs to more sensitive acoustic guitars and beautiful harpsichord. Ozzy again in tremendous form and the title track has long become a rock classic and a firm favourite on digital radio’s Planet Rock. Although hardly the rarest album I have ever offered, this is not so easy as an early pressing. The cover is horribly prone to all forms of wear and the lyric inner is often ripped to pieces or missing altogether. Also not so easy with a barely played record that plays to perfection. The heavy rock sound is never heard better than via vinyl, it carries the power and punch that is vital for this form of music and this example will not be beaten easily. So get those amps warmed up and blow yourself away with this true rock classic – no one ever did it better than Black Sabbath.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High.

Cover Grade and Format: Possibly undergraded at EX, certainly worthy of a (+) as most of these are rubbed and grubby and this one shows little wear at all. An unlaminated gatefold format that was printed and made in England by Howards Printers (Slough) Ltd. This includes the fragile lyric inner.

Cover Front: One of rock’s classic front covers but highly prone to wear. This one still appears very attractive with barely any traces of rubbing to the still very black edges, few escape this totally and most have moderate or worse cases. Only with angled viewing do light surface marks become apparent but normal viewing reveals little. Still very black and fresh looking with the main artwork very clean and attractive. With no sticker marks or pulls and largely crease-free, this front sets a very high standard.

Cover Back: Very few of these avoid some grubbiness to the white areas. My theory for this is when manufactured they were stacked and the black front rubbed against the white back causing ‘set-off’. A bit like the Stones album Sticky Fingers with the zip cover, the backs of most all have marks from the zipper. This consistency in that cover makes any other explanation unfeasible and I think this is true of this one too. Even owners who swear they have kept this cover protected all these years from new see their covers still showing some mild set off or grubbiness. This one has only relatively mild traces around the edge areas, certainly not excessive by any means but lightly present. That apart, little else to fault with no creasing or ring wear – again a significant bonus.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Both faces are pristine mint as new.

Top & Bottom Edges: Barely any wear at all, both look very neat and attractive.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, ultra sharp with no wear or feathering. Record entered on this right outside back edge.

Spine and Text: A fine example of a difficult spine that so often darkens and wears badly. This is solid, straight, uncompressed and square, both right edges meet up perfectly together and parallel. No rubbing or darkening and any surface crinkle is minimal from opening. All text is unworn and clear.

Corners: Minimal wear but a crease on the bottom front right which has minimal visual impact, all retain fine shape and definition.

Cover Summary: A very strong all round example of this very fragile 70’s cover, one that has not aged badly given its vulnerability to do so. It will prove quite difficult to find significantly better. This classic cover should please many collectors.

The Inner: Mint(-) and for once NO splits or tears, all edges are sound, strong with NO repairs or stressing. Unlined and constructed with very thin and delicate paper. Few avoid damage and many are a right mess (or missing). This is very clean with no significant creases, just the odd light surface ruffle around the record’s shape that is practically unavoidable of course. With this delicate inner in such fine condition it’s always good indication of the record being minimally handled or likely played. Just wondering if I have seen a much better example since I bought a copy back in ’73.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Again critically graded EX++ (my highest grading from Mint(-)), A superb visual copy that is super clean, very shiny, intense black and solidly pressed. A copy hardly played on all the evidence and that is very unusual on this popular rock classic. Just the odd ultra fine and faint hairline surface trace if scrutinised closely with absolutely no effect on play of course. Visually a super record that should please most collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This quite brilliant record plays up to, and even exceeds its high visual grading with nothing to fault. Strong, very powerful distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. PLAY THIS ONE LOUD FOR MAXIMUM ENJOYMENT!! Practically devoid of surface sounds and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing. The biggest test on this one is the aforementioned ‘Fluff’. A delicate acoustic instrumental with plenty of harpsichord and piano this so often clips and crackles on less than worthy pressings or less than carefully played examples. Here all is crisp and very sharp and sounds magnificent. All the details on this critical track are captured on this early pressing and nothing compares. Few copies will outperform this magnificent copy I feel sure, this was a pleasure from start to finish and the awesome power of the best metal band ever are encaptured in these ultra clean unworn grooves. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been clearly well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. This copy will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: I usually post on Fridays, most will arrive Saturday to make signed-for delivery easier. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO thick stiffners for even extra protection. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity and well as sender label. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 4,000+ items sold in over 7 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: ALL EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£35).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.