Black Sabbath : Technical Ecstasy Early 1st Press 1Y6 / 2Y6

This early pressing on the Vertigo label plays to a 'high end' standard that could not be any better.  The audio is 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  The clarity and sonic quality on offer here is stunning and it is obvious the vinyl has hardly been played over the last 40+ years.  The surface of the vinyl is immaculate and looks 'shop fresh'.

The cover is in superb condition and the lyric sheet and original inner have also been extremely well preserved.  It would be difficult to find a better one!

9102 750  1Y // 6  IB  1 1 3 MELYS etched

9102 750  2Y // 6  IB  1 2 1 MELYS etched

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

The lyric sheet is Near Mint

The original inner is Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is visually stunning and still has that 'as new' glossy sheen.  It has no marks or scratches and having inspected it very closely for at least a minute I can only find a couple of tiny barely visible hairlines.  There is minimal spindle wear and the run out grooves are also supremely clean.  A stunning example.

Play grading  

'Back Street Kids' is loud and true with no interference of any kind, not even a solitary dust tick.  The production values may not be the best on this album but this opening track nonetheless plays with superb power and clarity from start to finish and Mint is more than deserved.

The very quiet intro on 'You Won't Change Me' is more or less perfect with only a handful of mega light dust ticks and the rest of the intro also plays with flawless precision.  Every section plays to an exceptional standard with no sign of any interference.  This track still retains some of the original Sabbath sound but you can certainly tell they were heading in a new direction.  Mint all the same.

Now 'It's Alright' definitely isn't typical (!) but this Bill Ward number still plays with exceptional clarity and depth all the way through with....no interference.  The fade out shows just good the clarity is with no 'background' at all.  Mint

The percussive intro on 'Gypsy' could not play any better and continues in the same style for the remainder.  As always I listen to every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grading and again there is literally no interference.  Of course there still could be some 'background' due to groove wear for example but not here!  This is clearly a record that has not been overplayed and Mint is again fully justified.

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'All Moving Parts (Stand Still)' on S2 is of the same exact standard.  Sabbath doing funk is always going to be a little 'strange' but at least there is a harder edge to it.  The clarity is stunning all the way through and that includes the fade out that has no 'background' of any kind.  A superb Mint version.

'Rock 'N' Roll Doctor' is of the same 'high end' standard.  Ok perhaps I shouldn't pass judgement but this is not their finest hour, only my opinion of course!  Mint it is though :-)

The orchestral opening on 'She's Gone' is immaculate!  The acoustic section is equal to that with only a couple of dust ticks and as the vocal comes in the clarity is just as good.  This track that plays beautifully and there is no interference to be heard.  The clarity is quiet simply outstanding and you could not wish for a stronger version.  Mint

'Dirty Women' ends the album with, you guessed it, superb quality from start to finish.  Iommi's work here is immense and there is no distortion on the top end whatsoever, the end solo in particular is stunning!  A Mint finish to bring up a full house!  What a version!

In summary this may not be Sabbath's finest offering but regardless of that it is a FINAL UPGRADE for sure.  I know I have graded every track as Mint but that is because I listened to every track in full and I can confidently say there is no interference of any kind, not even a minor amount.  Not one tick, click or pops and no static or crackle either.  The clarity of the recording cannot be underestimated here and if you want a 'perfect' early pressing then this is the one to own!

The Cover

The cover is in superb condition with no obvious shelf wear at all.  The edges and spine have no rubbing and there is no corner wear which is a genuine rarity.  The opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover is super clean with no marking and just one minor crease line next to the spine.  The white border has only the bare minimum of fading, very faint and really not that noticeable.  The back cover is equally as good with just a hint of fading around the edges but no more than you would expect to find.  A fine example.

The Lyric Inner & Inner Sleeve

The black/red lyric sheet is near perfect with only one very small faint mark and a couple of minor creases.  The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner is also in superb order with no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing and barely any age related fading.

The Labels

The Vertigo spaceship labels have no marking or writing and as stated only a minimal amount of spindle wear.

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

9102 750  1Y // 6  IB  1 1 3 MELYS etched

9102 750  2Y // 6  IB  1 2 1 MELYS etched

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

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