Queen : Sheer Heart Attack 4U/4U Very Early Press

This is one stunning vinyl and has hardly been played.  There is just one faint spindle trace and the depth and warmth of the audio is just so impressive.

The laminated cover is in great condition and the lyric inner (three cut corners) is also very clean with minimal wear.

Please wait for the invoice before making payment thank you.

EMC 3601 // YAX 4881 - 4U / YAX 4882 - 4U // HP 1 / HL 2

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

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The cover is Ex++

The lyric inner is Ex+

The EMI labels are Mint-

 Visual grading

It doesn't get much better than this!  The vinyl has a mirror-like glossy sheen and you would be mistaken for thinking it was new!  It is visually stunning and has no marks or scratches and only after looking for quite some time could I find a couple of mega faint hairlines.  It is a beautiful pressing!  There is only one spindle trace on the S2 label and the run out grooves are also incredibly clean.  Stunning!

Play grading

This hardly played vinyl plays with a clarity, power and intensity that is so rarely found today.  There is quite simply no need to grade each track in detail as the audio is stunning throughout.  This is in my opinion one of the best produced Queen albums and nowhere is this more in evidence than when you find a super clean vinyl such as this.  S1 plays with sublime audio from the very start and 'Brighton Rock' has only the bare minimum of static during the 'quieter' section of the guitar solo.  'Killer Queen' has a couple of light static ticks on the intro and then plays as Mint there is no other way to describe it.  The remaining tracks on this side play with immaculate quality and the definition on tracks such as 'Tenement Funster' and 'Flick Of The Wrist' is so impressive, I'm not sure I've heard better!  There is no distortion at all.  Even the quiet 'Lily Of The Valley' plays beautifully with only a couple of light static ticks, the clarity here is exceptional to say the least.  'Now I'm Here' ends the side with wonderful audio and very little of the inner groove distortion that you so often find.  Another indication the vinyl has hardly been played.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The intro on 'In The Lap Of The Gods' is just awesome!  The power and depth could not be any better and it continues in exactly the same way.  This is Mint- audio at its very best and the classic 'Stone Cold Crazy' is more than equal to that with no interference at all.  'Dear Friends' is nigh on perfect with only a small number of dust ticks that are totally non-intrusive of course.  You will find them on new vinyl let alone one that is 45 years old!  The clarity is remarkable for such quiet track and the only real 'background' is a couple of light static ticks right at the end.  'Misfire' and 'Bring Back That Leroy Brown' both play 'as new' with immaculate precision and a Mint grading is not an exaggeration.  I listened to every second and there is no interference whatsoever.  'She Makes Me...' is so close to this but for one faint tick in the middle - aside from that the audio is 'as new'.  'In The Lap Of The Gods...revisited' ends the album with superlative audio and yep no 'background'.  The playback is as close to perfection that you will find and the complete lack of distortion is another pleasant surprise!  The audio is so powerful and the 'bomb' at the end provides a superb example of that!  Just 3/4 light static ticks on the fade out.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE early pressing has a clarity and definition that is not easy to find today.  All things point to a record that has hardly ever been played - the lack of spindle wear and the stunning 'look' of the vinyl.  There are no clicks or pops and next to no static also and there is certainly no crackle.  A remarkable version in essence which comes complete with a very impressive cover and lyric inner.  Hardly played and hardly handled in my opinion!

The Cover

 This laminated G&L cover is beautifully clean with very little shelf wear.  The top edge and spine are in beautiful condition with no 'rubbing' and the bottom edge just has one very small area of wear but it is not a split.  The corners are in great shape and only the bottom right one has a small crease.  The front cover is extremely clean with no laminate splits or lifting and the only thing I can detect is one small crease near the spine and a handful around the edges which you always find anyway.  The back cover just has one small scratch line top left but aside from that the laminate is near perfect with only minimal ringwear.

The Lyric Inner

The original inner, with the three cut corners, is in lovely condition with just one very small 2cm split on the bottom edge.  It is hardly noticeable!  There are no marks or creases on either side and only minor discolouration down one edge on either side, it is very minimal.  A fine example overall and better than so many you see.

The Labels

The original EMI labels are immaculate with only one mega faint spindle trace on S2 and no marking or writing.  They have lost none of their original colour.  

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

EMC 3601 // YAX 4881 - 4U / YAX 4882 - 4U // HP 1 / HL 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

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!