BLACK SABBATH VOL 4 1st PRESS 1Y1/2Y1 VERTIGO SWIRL *Stunning* AUDIO EX+/NMINT
£
98
$
129
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Description
Black Sabbath Vol. 4 : Original 1st Pressing 1Y1 / 2Y1
This Vertigo first pressing plays with mega impressive audio apart from a little 'background' on S1. It comes complete with the correct gatefold (booklet still attached) and has the original 'swirl' inner.
As per the first pressings the gatefold has the 'VO Price Code' on the back and no track times on the inside. The Side B label does not have 'Made in England' on as per the subsequent pressings. 'Porky & Pecko' is also etched on the run out grooves and this again is only seen on the first pressings. Plus the stampers are very early - the earliest on Side B, 1111!
6360071 / 1Y // 1 / 1 1 1 7 / PORKY
6360071 / 2Y // 1 / 1 1 1 1 / PECKO
The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / track 3 Ex / track 4 Ex-)
The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the vast majority / track 3 Ex+)
The gatefold is VG+ (the inside is Near Mint-)
The original Vertigo inner is Ex-
The label are Near Mint-
Visual grading
This is a visually stunning vinyl and there are no scratches or markings at all. Under a bright light I can detect some faint sleeve removal hairlines but you expect to see those. It still has a superb glossy sheen and whilst there is some spindle wear it has certainly been so well preserved down the years. The labels and run out grooves are also extremely clean.
Play grading
'Wheels Of Confusion' plays with superb resonance from the from the very first note and there is barely any static prior to the vocal starting. The depth and power of the audio is stunning and from then on there is no decrease in quality. There are no clicks or pops and no obvious static either, this really is audio of 'high end' standard. The definition of each note is so 'clean' i.e. there is no 'muddiness' or distortion on the sound. The end sequence in particular is absolutely superb, the strongest I have ever heard. There is no deterioration in quality and even the long fade out plays in sublime style with no 'background'. Wow what an opening track!
'Tomorrow Dream' plays with faultless audio from beginning to end. You know when a vinyl has been well preserved when it plays with the same depth and clarity that it originally did and this track does not disappoint. The power and strong bass is so impressive and again there is not a single click or pop. There is just a touch of static on the fade out. Thus far the audio on S1 grades as Near Mint and that is being conservative!
'Changes' plays extremely well but there is a little background static here and there. It certainly isn't loud and whilst it can be heard it isn't intrusive in my opinion. The music and vocal still plays very clearly and again no clicks or pops. It's rare to find to find this quiet track playing with perfect audio and this remains an excellent version albeit with a little 'background'.
'FX' of course is even quieter and the static is a little more obvious here, bordering on light crackle in a couple of sections I would say. Don't get wrong me it still plays very clearly and many would still be impressed by it considering the age of the vinyl. It is still an excellent listen but isn't quite as 'perfect' as you would hope for.
'Supernaut' plays with fantastic power and depth from the get go. Final tracks on any side are often affected by distortion but that is certainly not the case here. This is about as good as it gets! The sonic quality is just breathtaking and this is Mint- in my humble opinion, there is just nothing to detract from the incredible quality of the audio. The percussive section is just stunning and it plays almost 'as new' to the very end. There is just a minor touch of minimal static on the extended fade out. Wow!
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'Snowblind' plays with wonderful depth from the very first groove. The intro is nigh on perfect with only one very gentle 'tick'. Once the vocal comes in the audio is stunning and it continues to play with superb precision and power. This is without doubt one of the finest versions of this track that I have ever heard. There is absolutely nothing that detracts from the 'high end' audio. There is no distortion on the top end and the solo near the end is so powerful, wow! This is easily Near Mint if not better!
'Cornucopia' is of the same immaculate standard and in fact can be graded as Mint- it is that good! There is no interference, just a modicum of light static on the final 2/3 seconds of the fade out. The power and clarity could not be any more impressive and is stunning on every level, audio just does not get any better than this! It has such a strong foreboding 'menace' about it and any Sabbath fan would be hugely impressed with the audio quality here.
'Laguna Sunrise' is also a fine example of its kind. There is only a minimal amount of light static on the intro and the clarity from then on is superb with barely any 'background'. For such a relatively quiet track the playback is of a great standard, just some light crackle on the fade out. I think an Ex+ grading is suitable here although the vast majority does play better than that.
'St. Vitus Dance' plays with sublime quality from start to finish. The clarity and power is second to none and again there is no interference - no clicks, pops, static or crackle. Another Mint- track without doubt.
The intro on 'Under The Sun' plays with fantastic clarity and depth and as soon as the vocal begins there is no decrease in quality. It continues to play in exactly the same way and again not a single click or pop. If I am being super critical there is just very minor static in a couple of the quieter sections but it is so minimal and definitely not intrusive. The entire 'rocks out' in true Sabbath fashion and the end section is stunning and has incredible power and definition. No distortion anywhere. A superb, dynamic version without question.
In summary this first UK pressing plays with highly impressive clarity and power on both sides. There is some 'background' on the two quieter tracks on S1 but they still play very clearly and there are no loud clicks or pops. A little static on the odd fade out also but the vast majority of the audio plays with stunning quality. The power and depth during the louder sections is superb and what is impressive is that there is no distortion anywhere.
The Gatefold
The cover remains completely intact but as can be seen there is some feathering/spotting mainly around the edges of the front and back cover. There is also some rubbing on the actual edges and some corner wear but not a massive amount it has to be said. The wide spine is in excellent shape with only minor rubbing and it is still 100% legible. The opening edge is in superb shape and has no handling wear at all. It comes complete with the four page inner booklet fully attached and there is no marking of any kind on the inside of the gatefold. The VO Price Code can be seen clearly on the back. So while there is some 'fading' on the front and back the cover is still strong and robust and certainly not badly worn like so many you see.
Vertigo Inner sleeve
The original poly-lined large swirl inner is in excellent condition with only one very small 3cm side split. There is only very minor creasing and just a small amount of age related fading.
The labels
The Vertigo swirl labels are in superb condition. There is some spindle wear but by no means an excessive amount. There are no markings and no writing either. Very clean, impressive examples.
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
6360071 / 1Y // 1 / 1 1 1 7 / PORKY
6360071 / 2Y // 1 / 1 1 1 1 / 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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