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Black Sabbath : Vol. 4 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Vertigo 1972

This first pressing plays with stunning quality and especially S2.  S1 is not far behind and the only 'real' intrusion is one dull click at the beginning of 'Changes'.  Aside from that it plays with great clarity and with none of the static distortion that is so often found.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio on both sides is outstanding as is audio separation i.e. each note is so clean and precise.  Like I say S2 is so impressive with all tracks grading as either Mint- or Mint including 'Laguna Sunrise'!  The  vinyl is visually stunning also and is without doubt one of the finest examples I have ever seen.

The gatefold cover is also extremely clean with barely any of the marking that is regularly found.  The only obvious wear is one split on the top edge of the back cover.  This album either came with a Vertigo inner or a Plastic Bags inner and I am pleased to say this one has the former and it remains in excellent shape with not too much wear.

The first pressing has a 1Y1 / 2Y1 matrix, no Made in England on the Side B label, the gatefold is matt textured and inside reads 'We wish to thank the great COKE-Cola Company...'.  The track listing has no timings either.

6360071  1Y//1  1 1  2 3   PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1 1  2 4   PECKO (etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 intro Ex- then Near Mint / T4 & T5 Near Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex-

The photo booklet is Mint-

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex-

The Vertigo labels are Near Mint

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong bright light I can only see a very small number of faint hairlines and there is no groove or surface wear.  It really is a stunning vinyl!  The Vertigo labels are in superb shape also with no marking and only minimal spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Wheels Of Confusion' plays to perfection and that typical deep, rich Sabbath sound is already 100% there.  Ozzy's opening vocal section is just as impressive as is the instrumental bridge.  The next verse has zero intrusion and the following instrumental provides further evidence of why these Vertigo first pressings are so collectable.  Sonically it is STUNNING, every note so clean and precise.  As Ozzy bursts back in there is no distortion on the top end and it continues in the same precise way.  I cannot praise this version highly enough as there are literally no issues - the final vocal section is flawless and the classic end instrumental is 'as new' with a clarity and definition that could not be improved upon.  This is sonic quality of the highest order and I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint and that includes the long fade out.  What a start!

The intro on 'Tomorrow's Dream' has no background and the first vocal is equal to that.  The clarity is already 10/10 but is it sonically on the same level?  The answer is a resounding yes!  And it continues in the same exact way with literally nothing to detract from the audio.  Every vocal and instrumental section plays with sublime quality and Mint is again deserved.

'Changes' is so often affected by static / distortion but not this version.  The piano intro has barely any static but does have one dull click due I think to a tiny needle drop that is near impossible to find!  The opening vocal is more or less perfect with only a couple of barely audible statics and the chorus is exactly that, perfect.  There is no static distortion on the top end and during the following instrumental that is particularly rare, the playback is faultless.  The next vocal section is crystal clear and the rest of this classic ballad is just as clean and just as impressive.  Aside from that one dull click this is easily one of the cleanest versions I have heard and the closing vocal section provides more evidence of that.  The quiet piano piece has barely any background either.  I will grade the intro as Ex- but from then on it has to grade as Near Mint at the very least.

'FX' then plays in a very similar way.  The intro has only minimal light static and thereafter plays exceptionally well for such a quiet instrumental.  There are no intrusive ticks, clicks or pops and only the bare minimum of very light static here and there.  The more I listen to it the more I am impressed.  Overall I think Near Mint- is fair.

The intro on 'Supernaut' beginning with Ward's percussion plays with impeccable quality and the opening vocal section is just as strong.  This classic is always affected by inner groove distortion, I defy anyone to say otherwise!  However, it is kept to a minimum here and the mid instrumental is a case in point.  Superb!  Ward's own 'solo' work could not play any better and the final vocal section has only a little distortion.  The closing instrumental is stunning - remember the fade out here is so long but there is no background at all.  In a way it seems too harsh to downgrade it due to inner groove distortion because it's always there but I will say Near Mint- overall.  It's still a fine version.

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The intro on 'Snowblind' plays with such strong, deep audio and there is no background, as good a start that you could wish for.  Ozzy's opening vocal section is equal to that with a sound so clean and clinical.  The instrumental bridge is perfect and the 'chorus' is of the same high end standard.  Iommi's next down-tuned section is surely equal to how it would have played back in '72 and the following vocal has no background either.  The next high powered instrumental / vocal section is flawless - this is the section where Ward is very prominent and the percussion here is 'as new' without doubt.  It continues in the same precise way - the final vocal is so clean and the concluding instrumental is just as strong and clear.  From start to finish there is no interference and I only heard a couple of very minor background statics so I will grade as Mint- accordingly although I'm not sure the minus is entirely necessary.

The deep, menacing intro on 'Cornucopia' has no intrusion and the next section is just as strong.  The opening vocal section keeps up the standard and again the clarity and definition of the audio is phenomenal.  The instrumental is 'as new' and that applies to the entire track truth be told.  From the first note to the last there is no interference not even a solitary dust tick.  This is a STUNNING Mint version, a serious sonic masterpiece!

'Laguna Sunrise' plays beautifully with no intrusion.  It is easily one of the finest renditions I have ever listened to and I only 'picked up' a handful of barely audible statics.  A wonderful Mint- version.

The intro on 'St. Vitus Dance' is flawless and the opening vocal is equally as strong.  The instrumental bridge is the same and the next vocal is also of the same high end standard.  It's a relatively short track by their standard and it continues to play with stunning precision.  With no background whatsoever and a sonic quality that could not be any better this is easily another Mint track.

Another menacing intro (!) on 'Under The Sun' and another one that plays perfectly.  Ozzy's first vocal is so clean and for once there is no actual vocal distortion.  It continues in much the same way and if there is any vocal distortion it is kept to an absolute minimum.  It's a dynamic number with Ward in particular adding his usual class, not forgetting Butler's great bass sound also.  The mid section led by Iommi is superb, it could not play any better and the final vocal plays with genuine quality.  The classic closing section plays loud and strong and again the 'sound' is very clean which is a rarity.  Another sign this record has only been lightly played.  A superb finish to this classic album and Mint- is well deserved. 

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only one issue as such.  It has a small(ish) thin split on the top edge of the back cover but it's not overly obvious.  Aside from that the edges are very clean with hardly any other wear and the wide spine is still 100% legible with a little rubbing and some wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have only minimal wear and the opening edge is so clean with barely any wear.  The front cover is one of the finest you will find - so often it has a lot of surface rub / spotting around the edges but there is hardly any here.  There is just one extremely faint 'blemish' near the bottom edge.  The back cover looks even better but of course does have the fine split at the top.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and the 4 page photo booklet is still perfectly attached for once.  Only the Ozzy panel has one tiny 'speck' near the top edge.  Overall this is a fine example of this iconic cover and it has to be one of the cleanest around today.

The poly-lined Vertigo inner sleeve has some light marking which is mainly around the edges.  Some will be the glue showing through which can happen with age.  There are no side splits but it does have one small tear on the central aperture.  It has very little creasing.

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

6360071  1Y//1  1 1  2 3   PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1 1  2 4   PECKO (etched)

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!!

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

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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!!