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Black Sabbath : Born Again A1 / B2 1st press 1983

This first pressing plays with stunning quality on both with no interference.  As always I have played the album in full and I only detected one light static tick and some very brief barely audible static on S1.  This is so minor and is only mentioned here because I state any background even if totally non-intrusive.  The production / mix on this record is not the best (confirmed by the Sabs themselves) but if you can get beyond that the clarity and power of the audio is spectacular.  You certainly will not hear a cleaner version than this one.  I would say it is a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing such is the sonic quality on offer here.  The vinyl is visually in superb condition also and it looks and sounds un-played.

The iconic (!) cover is in fantastic condition with barely any wear and the lyric inner is in great shape also with just one corner crease.

VERL 8   A // 1▽ 420  H  1 1 5   TOWNHOUSE (inverted)

VERL 8   B // 2▽ 420  H  1 1 4   TOWNHOUSE (inverted)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 & T4 Near Mint+)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Near Mint

The lyric inner is Ex+

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Looking under a bright light I can only see a very small number of very faint insignificant sleeve removal hairlines.  Another visually stunning Sabbath record.  The run out grooves are super clean and the Vertigo labels are unmarked and have no spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Trashed' is perfect and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  The poor production on this album is well documented and whilst there is a muffled sound here the sonic quality in my opinion is still strong.  Gillan's voice as per usual is so powerful even it not a perfect match for the Sabbath sound.  The entire track plays loud with great power and there is no background of any kind.  A Mint start to the album.

The instrumental 'Stonehenge' plays so clearly with barely any intrusion.  There is just one static tick but there is no actual background static and I played it three times in total.  The first time the audio was very clean, the second even better and by the third time the clarity was stunning.  I think Near Mint+ is fair, the static tick is a minor issue.

The high octane intro on 'Disturbing The Priest' is flawless Gillan's opening vocal is of the same standard.  It continues in the same way and the first 'quieter' vocal section has no intrusion at all, not even a dust tick.  A little further in I did hear one very light tick but that is the only background across the entire track.  This is a Mint- version for sure. 

'The Dark' again plays with great clarity and there are no ticks, clicks or pops.  I noticed only the lightest of background static but it is so quiet it hardly requires a mention!  Near Mint+

The classic intro on 'Zero The Hero' is STUNNING and the opening vocal section could not play any better.  Ok it may not be the best produced album but there is denying the depth of sound here.  The audio is so strong and deep - play it loud the 'sound' just envelops the room with such resonance, the playback is stunning.  Every vocal and instrumental all play with perfect clarity, not bad for a 7+ minute track.  The long fade out is perfect also.  What a version!  Mint all the way. 

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'Digital Bitch' provides more evidence of a vinyl hardly played with incredible audio from start to finish.  The power is still there and Mint is well deserved.

The intro on 'Born Again' plays with exceptional clarity and as Ward comes in the audio does not falter.  Gillan's opening vocal is on the same level.  The first chorus is so strong and dynamic and there is no distortion on the top end.  This high end standard is kept up as it progresses and again I cannot find one single negative.  It honestly plays like it has never been played before!  Real depth and power and the clarity is incredible!  The next quieter passage has no background and to the end it plays with genuine precision, the fade out is superb!  Another Mint track .

'Hot Line' plays with sublime quality from start to finish with... no interference.  That by now familiar power and depth is very much in evidence here and 'as new' is a correct description.  A stunning solo from Iommi near the end.  Mint

The final track 'Keep It Warm' has no background on the intro and the opening vocal is just as clean.  The first chorus is equal to that and it continues to play with imperious quality.  The previous owner certainly knew how to maintain his records!  Once again every vocal and instrumental section plays with such quality and Iommi's mid solo is breath-taking!  This is high end audio to say the least and there is zero distortion.  This is a fantastic version and to the final note including the fade out there is no interference.  A stunning Mint version to complete this fine album.

In summary this first pressing could hardly play any better really.  One static tick and a hint of barely audible static on S1 sums it up - the clarity and power of the audio is superb and despite the sound issues well known to this album it is still a great listen.  If you want the strongest / cleanest version of this record then this is the one to own! 

The Cover & Lyric Inner

This cover is also one of the best you are ever likely to see.  It has been preserved so well and has barely any shelf wear.  The edges, spine and corners are more or less perfect - there is just one tiny 'rub' on the bottom right hand corner and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover is immaculate and the back cover is close to that with just a couple of thin 'scrapes' / rubs next to the opening edge near the top.  A stunning example overall.

The original lyric inner is in excellent condition with no side splits or marking and just one crease line in the top right corner.

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

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

VERL 8   A // 1▽ 420  H  1 1 5   TOWNHOUSE (inverted)

VERL 8   B // 2▽ 420  H  1 1 4   TOWNHOUSE (inverted)

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 : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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LPs/12" singles : £24.95 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!!