I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid / decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Sabbath : Sabotage 1Y2 / 2Y2 1st Press NEMS 1975

This first pressing plays with stunning audio across bother sides.  It has been so well preserved and visually the vinyl itself is stunning.  There are no intrusive ticks and there is not one single click or pop.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is phenomenal and this is an album that has clearly hardly ever been played.  The NEMS labels are so clean with perhaps just one barely visible spindle trace on each.  I cannot emphasise enough just how impressive the audio is here, the winning bidder will not be disappointed!

The fully textured cover is in superb shape also with only the bare minimum of wear.  Perhaps I should have graded it as Near Mint- but I have said Ex++ just to err on the side of caution.  The original Plastic Bags... inner sleeve is in superb condition also with no obvious wear.

The first pressing has RECORDS & TAPES on both the labels and the back cover.

9119001  1Y//2  ST  1 1  1 4  ---  9119001  2Y//2  ST  1 1  1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint / T3 intro Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The fully textured cover is Ex++

The original inner is Near Mint

The NEMS labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with no scratches.  There is one small mark on S2 but it has no affect on the audio, not a scratch and not a hairline.  Under a bright light I can only see a small number of ultra faint hairlines and there is no groove or surface wear either.  The NEMS labels are practically 'as new' with barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The 'warming up' intro on 'Hole In The Sky' has barely any static and then the first classic riff plays perfectly.  The opening vocal is just as strong and clear.  The power and definition is high end and there is no distortion on the top end.  It continues in the same way with no intrusion.  Ozzy's vocal is on the higher register here but sonically it is not affected at all.  The entire track plays as it would have done back in '75.  Mint- is very much deserved.

The acoustic 'Don't Start (Too Late)' plays so clearly with only a small number of very quiet static ticks mainly near the start.  Nothing intrusive and the clarity of sound is superb.  Near Mint

The intro on 'Symptom Of The Universe' has three minor statics right at the start and then plays with supreme power and clarity.  The opening vocal is 'as new' and you really notice Ward throughout this track.  The percussion is so strong and Iommi's contribution is quite impressive also!  And Butler adding his usual depth to the overall sound.  it's an all time classic and it plays to the highest standard possible.  The instrumental section towards the end for example - the sonic quality is amazing and again there is no distortion.  The final acoustic / vocal section plays with great depth and clarity also.  The intro is Near Mint but from then onwards Mint is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Megalomania' begins perfectly and the opening vocal has not so much as a dust tick.  As the volume increases the playback is flawless and the first 'chorus' is equal to that.  From then on it plays with such quality for a final track.  There is no interference, the only background being one very quiet tick which hardly warrants a mention really.  Stunning work from Iommi as per usual.  There is perhaps just a minimal amount of inner groove distortion on the final section but it is not intrusive.  From start to finish this classic plays with genuine quality and like I say no clicks or pops.  Oh just one very faint tick on the fade out but again Mint- is deserved.

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The intro on 'Thrill Of It All' plays with incredible audio with just one minor static at the start.  Ozzy's opening vocal keeps up the standard and it continues to play as per S1 - with tremendous clarity and depth.  The mid instrumental / vocal instrumental quite simply plays 'as new' and this level is kept up to the very end including the fade out.  It seems harsh to add a minus due to one minor static on the intro but I will say Mint- overall.

'Supertzar' plays with stunning precision from the word go.  This unique instrumental often has some interference I find but that is not the case here.  Driven by the English Chamber Choir and Iommi's guitar it plays with sensational clarity and warmth through every section.  It is Mint in every way.

'Am I going Insane (Radio)' again demonstrates how well this vinyl has been looked after and plays with imperious quality throughout.  No need to elaborate, the clarity and depth of the audio is first class and even the 'laughing' end section plays perfectly!  Mint

The segue into 'The Writ' has no background at all and the first quiet passage is the same with literally no intrusion.  Ozzy's first vitriolic vocal is perfect and following quiet section is close to that with just one minor static tick, barely any actual static though.  The next vocal section is flawless and it continues to play with phenomenal quality.  The audio is very clean for a final track and the harpsichord (I think) sections play 'as new'.  The closing 'heavy' section is just as impressive and the fade out has no background.  A Mint- conclusion to a superb album.

The uncredited 'Blow On A Jug' plays with remarkable clarity considering it is so quiet.  Easily Mint-

The Cover & Plastic Bags.. Inner Sleeve

The fully textured cover is in superb condition with very minimal wear and nothing stands out.  The edges have only a little rubbing and the spine remains clean with just a small number of tiny marks and a couple of indents.  The corners have only minimal wear and the opening edge is pristine.  The front cover is in lovely condition with only a handful of the usual edge creases next to the spine and a very minor faint crease near the bottom left corner.  The back cover is just as impressive with no marking and just one tiny crease in the lower left corner.  A fine example overall.

The original poly-lined inner sleeve has no side splits or tears and no marking either.  Just some light creasing that is all.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

9119001  1Y//2  ST  1 1  1 4  ---  9119001  2Y//2  ST  1 1  1 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!