Black Sabbath : Vol 4 (Vertigo Swirl Label 1Y1/2Y1)

This genuine first pressing plays with wonderful clarity and power and only a minimal amount of interference on S2.  The majority of the record plays with perfect clarity and power.  Just look also at how early the matrix is on S1!

The cover is very clean with only minor shelf wear and the inner booklet remains firmly attached.  There is none of the fading around the edges that you so often see.  The original swirl inner is in superb condition.

The first press is denoted by having no 'Made In England' on the label and Porky & Pecko etched into the run out grooves.  They of course relate to George Peckham, the famous mastering engineer.  The first press also has the VO Price Code on the back cover and no track times on the inside.  

6360071  1Y // 1   1 1  1 1  PORKY

6360071  2Y // 1   1  2 1  9  PECKO

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / tracks 3 & 4 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 3 Ex+)

The cover is Ex

The labels are Mint-

The original swirl inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in spectacular condition and has no marks, hairlines or scratches.  I do not think I have seen a 'cleaner' version than this and it retains a fantastic mirror-like glossy sheen.  It looks 'as new' and that is backed up by the super clean run out grooves and labels.  There is minimal spindle wear so has only ever been lightly played and the quality of the audio confirms that.

Play grading  

'Wheels Of Confusion' is stunning from the very first note and it would be nigh on impossible to find a better version.  The clarity and definition is 'high end' and there is no interference of any kind.  The more it continues the more you are impressed by it!  As per so many Sabbath tracks it plays with a deep rich foreboding sound and bass is so powerful here.  There are no clicks, pop, static or crackle and the end section is just superb plus the fade out has no 'background' either.  What a start to the side, pure Mint- audio without doubt.

 'Tomorrow Dream' is of the same immaculate quality and again grades as Mint- as there is just no interference.  No more needs to be said.

What follows is one of the 'cleanest' versions of 'Changes' that you are ever likely to hear, it is stunning!  Because it is a relatively quiet track it often plays with static/crackle or worse but this version has only the lightest of dust ticks here and there.  There is absolutely no intrusion on the highly impressive audio and a Near Mint- grading is deserving.

Even the mega quiet 'FX' does not disappoint.  There is only the bare minimum of static and again it does not intrude on the quality of the listen.  Considering how quiet this instrumental is it is a very impressive version and up there with the best I have heard.  Wonderful clarity and not a single click or pop.

'Supernaut' ends the side with suitably powerful audio and....no interference.  Perhaps there is a touch of inner groove distortion towards the end but that might be me being overly-critical.  The playback is still hugely impressive and there is no 'background' to mention.  The extended fade out plays with perfect precision. 

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'Snowblind' on S2 is without fault and the clarity and power of the audio again pays testament to how well this vinyl has been preserved over the decades.  There are no clicks or pops and no distortion, just a couple of minor dust ticks.  The audio is so strong and deep and the solo on the end section is breathtaking.  The fade out again plays perfectly.

'Cornucopia' if anything plays better if that is possible!  The audio has not deteriorated in any shape or form over the intervening years and it is quite simply stunning.  Not one iota of interference and a Mint- version without question.

'Laguna Sunrise' plays beautifully at the start but after 10 seconds there are a couple of light clicks and another two 30 seconds in.  From then on the audio is very impressive with no other intrusion.  The vast majority of this track is Mint- but the intro section means it can only grade as Ex+.

'St. Vitus Dance' and 'Under The Sun' end the album in fine style with audio that plays 'as new'.  There is such depth and resonance to the sound here and rarely there is no inner groove distortion.  A stunning Mint- finish.

In summary this is not far from being a final upgrade and but for the lights clicks on 'Laguna Sunrise' it would be.  Nonetheless it is a superb first pressing and the vast majority plays with wonderful clarity and sonic quality.  It is definitely one of the most impressive I have heard and I have listened to many!  The vinyl as stated is in beautiful condition and the gatefold for a change has only very minor wear.  The original inner is in superb order.

The Gatefold

The cover is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear.  The edges do have some rubbing but certainly not an excessive amount and the wide spine is similar and yet remains 100% legible.  There is a little corner wear but the opening edge is very clean indeed.  The front cover is in excellent shape and has only a small amount of the spotting around the edges that you so often see.  It's rare to see it this clean actually.  The back cover is similar with only very minor spotting and the inside could hardly be any better and the booklet remains firmly attached.  Yes some rubbing here and there but infinitely cleaner than so many you see today.

Inner Sleeve

The original swirl inner (dated 0171) is in fabulous condition with no splits or tears and very little creasing or age related fading.  It has been very well preserved.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in superb condition with only a very small amount of spindle wear and no discolouration at all.  No marking or writing either they could hardly look any better!

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 1  1 1  PORKY

6360071  2Y // 1   1  2 1  9  PECKO

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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