Black Sabbath : Vol 4 1st Press 1Y1 / 2Y1

This first pressing on the Vertigo label plays to a wonderful standard with not one single click or pop and barely any static, just a minimal amount on S1 which is totally non-intrusive.  The sonic quality is outstanding and Side B in particular is outstanding!  It is certainly up there with the best I have ever heard and visually the vinyl is also very impressive.

A first pressing has no 'Made in England' on the Side B label and no track times on the inner gatefold.  The cover has a matt texture and the VO Price Code on the back.  Porky and Pecko is hand etched on the run out grooves which of course relates to the famous cutting/mastering engineer George Peckham - another reason why this issue is so collectable.

This cover is in superb overall condition with only minimal wear and the inner booklet remains fully attached.  The original inner has no side splits and remains in great order.

6360071 1Y // 1   1 2 1 1 8  PORKY

6360071 2Y // 1   1 1 1  PECKO

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T3 Near Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner is Near Mint-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only has a small number of faint hairlines.  There are a couple of Side B that are a little more obvious but they have no bearing on the stunning audio quality.  It has been preserved so well and it really does have a very impressive visual quality.  There is some spindle wear but not an excessive amount and the run out grooves are also supremely clean, the matrix info is very clear.

Play grading

'Wheels Of Confusion' plays with stunning clarity and power from the start and the first vocal plays to near perfection.  I could detect just a hint of barely audible static in the background but honestly you hardly notice it, it is so quiet.  The mid section instrumental plays with wonderful depth, the playback is awesome!  This really is such a strong version and there is no distortion on the top end.  There are no clicks or pops, no crackle and as I say barely any static.  Each note is so precise and the classic end section is STUNNING you cannot fault it!  The fade out is also very 'clean' with only a couple of light ticks right at the end.  I will grade as Near Mint although that might be a little harsh, I am sure many would grade higher.

'Tomorrow's Dream' is 'as new' from start to finish with a sonic quality that is as 'fresh' as when first released back in '72.  There is no interference and the audio definition is exceptional.  Not one dust tick etc this is Mint in every way.

'Changes' is so often affected by static/distortion but I am pleased to say this is a very 'clean' version and has only the lightest of static here and there which is totally non-intrusive.  Even on Osborne's higher register there is no distortion and again there are no clicks or pops and no crackle either.  There is no actual intrusion on the audio at all.  The quiet piano end section plays beautifully and Near Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio here.

'FX' is of course even quieter and yet the playback is stunning.  Again there is barely any static and the clarity is outstanding.  Near Mint

The intro on 'Supernaut' is flawless and it continues to play with sublime depth and power.  This final track will often play with some inner groove distortion but this is without doubt one of the finest versions I have heard in a long time.  The power and clarity is so impressive and the long percussive section is a prime example of that.  Wow!  The remainder is of the same 'high end' standard and the long fade out has no 'background' which is a rarity.  A Mint- end to the side.

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'Snowblind' is absolutely STUNNING from the first note to the last!  A special mention for the audio definition here, it is out of this world!  Every section plays with such precision and with only a couple of very light static sounds this is practically 'as new'.  There is clarity and then there is clarity such as we have here!  The playback truly is breathtaking and Mint- is more than deserved.

'Cornucopia' is of the same standard and has no interference of any kind.  From the first groove to the last you could wish for greater power and clarity.  No need for a minus this is Mint in every way.  Sonic quality does not get better than this!

The relatively quiet instrumental 'Laguna Sunrise' plays beautifully with no clicks or pops and only a handful of dust ticks that you can barely detect.  A stunning version and is Mint- for sure.

'St. Vitus Dance' plays without fault i.e. no interference or distortion and Mint is again deserved.  There are a couple of static ticks in the dead wax once the music has finished.

The foreboding intro on 'Under The Sun' plays with stunning quality and continues in the same precise way.  There is no interference, just a couple of barely audible ticks (not clicks!) and the clarity is fantastic throughout.  For once this track has no distortion and that shows just how well this record has been preserved over the years.  You can see it has been played a number of times but it has obviously been played on 'high end' equipment every time.  It has lost none of its original sonic quality and provides a stunning end to this album.  The classic end section is mind-blowing (!) and is Mint in every way.  Perhaps the entire track should be graded as Mint but I will call it Mint- just to be safe!  What a version!

In summary this first pressing plays to a superb standard with no clicks or pops and only a minimal touch of light static on S1 that is very much in the background.  S1 still plays with very impressive clarity and depth but S2 is 'as new' basically, the sonic quality cannot be faulted.  It is also worth noting that there is barely any distortion and any avid collector would not be disappointed by the audio on offer here.

The Gatefold

The cover is one of the 'cleanest' you will find and is in great condition with only very minimal shelf wear.  The edges have only minimal rubbing and the wide spine is in excellent shape with only a couple of 'specks' and crease lines and it remains 100% legible.  There is only minimal corner wear and the opening edge is nigh on perfect.  The cover for once has none of the fading/staining around the edges that you so often seen and has only a few minor creases around the edges.  3/4 white 'specks' under the S also.  The back cover if anything is even better with no real marking, just a couple of 'specks' and a small faint scratch line.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and the inner booklet remains firmly attached.  A very impressive cover overall and certainly better than the vast majority that you see today.

The Inner Sleeve

The first pressings were either issued with a swirl inner or a 'Plastic Bags...' inner and this one has the latter.  It has no side splits or marking and only a minor amount of age related fading near the top edges.  A fine example.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels have no marking, writing or 'spotting'.  S1 has only minimal spindle wear but there is a little more 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

6360071 1Y // 1   1 2 1 1 8  PORKY

6360071 2Y // 1   1 1 1  PECKO

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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