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Black Sabbath : Vol. 4 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Vertigo 1972

This first press is the most stunning example I have ever listened to.  That is not me over-selling it, that is just me speaking with complete honesty.  I have 'located' great examples of this classic albums in the past but never one as pristine as this and it must have been purchased originally as collectors' item not to be played or the owner just didn't like it!  It has hardly been played judging by the audio, its stunning visual look and that there is barely any spindle wear on the labels.  It quite simply plays 'as new' on both sides with no background of any kind, the clarity is phenomenal.  So often this album will play with some static distortion but there is none of that here.  For example 'Changes' and 'FX' are so clean and play with a clarity and warmth that is second to none.  There are so many highlights, in fact every track is a highlight!  The power, depth and resonance of the audio is unlike anything I have ever heard before and I cannot stress enough just how immaculate the playback is.  This is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic as they say.

The cover is also in excellent condition with only very minimal shelf wear and again has been looked after so well, the photo booklet is still perfectly attached.  The original inner sleeve has only light wear.  This was the first Sabbath album where it was issued with either a Vertigo inner or, as in this case, a Plastic Bags... inner sleeve.

This first pressing has a 1Y1 / 2Y1 matrix, no Made in England on the Side B label, the gatefold is matte textured and inside reads 'We wish to thank the great COKE-Cola Company...'.  The track listing has no timings on either.

6360071  1Y//1  1 1  22  PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1 1 1 7  PECKO (etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The original inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Near 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 couple of ultra faint hairlines and you would not be disappointed if you had just bought this record brand new!  There is no groove or surface wear, no bag 'rash' and it gleams beautifully.  The run out grooves are super clean and the iconic Vertigo labels are unmarked with only a couple of faint spindle traces on each side.  This is a stunning example of this first pressing!

Play grading

The intro on 'Wheels Of Confusion' is flawless with not even a dust tick let alone anything more.  I am immediately struck by how strong and deep the audio is, it sounds like it has never been played no exaggeration!  Osbourne's opening vocal section is just as impressive and it continues to play with a sonic quality that is just STUNNING!  The mid instrumental plays with perfect clarity and depth and when Ozzy bursts back in (this vocal passage is loud!) there is no distortion on the top end which is a rarity.  This unbelievable standard is kept up through the next section and the quiet handover into the final instrumental has no background either.  This classic section then plays with sublime quality with Iommi's 'sound' playing 'as new' and the long fade out has no intrusion either, not one dust tick as I often say!  This is the definitive version and I am 100% confident in grading it as Mint as the playback from start to finish could not be any stronger.

The intro and opening vocal on 'Tomorrow's Dream' again play with such clean, powerful audio and it continues in the same precise way.  Not to labour a point but I cannot emphasise enough just how immaculate the sonic quality is.  I know I can get a little verbose at times but in all honesty I do not think I have ever heard this classic album playing with such clarity and finesse.  Finesse might be a strange word to use regarding Sabbath but I think it's a fair shout.  The clarity and definition of the audio is just perfect and Mint is deserved.  Absolutely no need for a minus here.

What follows is the cleanest, most stunning version of 'Changes' that I have ever heard.  How often does it play with a static distorted type sound and especially on Ozzy's vocal?  That is not the case here at all and the clarity of sound through every section is incredible, wow!  There is nothing that detracts from this clear, precise audio and it has to be the most 'complete' version that I have ever listened to.  A couple of barely audible dust ticks at most and Mint is definitely right.  As I sometimes say with crystal clear audio like this you notice things you haven't heard before in the background.  The tone on the piano is a fine example of this and every note on the mellotron accompaniment is again so precise.  I do not think I have ever graded this Iommi classic as and Mint on a first pressing but it is certainly deserved here.

The super quiet 'FX' also plays with a clarity that you just never find and there is no intrusion here at all.  There is just one minor static in the middle but I can't downgrade it because of that surely!  Ok I'll say Mint- but it is without the most stunning example of this instrumental that I have ever witnessed.

'Supernaut' ends the side with unrivalled audio as you can imagine.  The intro featuring such strong work from Ward and Butler is faultless and the opening vocal is on the same level.  For once there is no inner groove distortion - another indication, if you needed it, that this vinyl has hardly been played.  It continues to play with sublime quality and the power, depth and resonance of the audio is immense!  The mid instrumental is a prime example and the instrumentation is not 'fighting for space', each note is still so clean and precise.  Ward's solo could not be any more impressive and the final vocal / instrumental passage is of the same high end standard.  Mint all the way including the long fade out.

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'Snowblind' on S2 plays with imperious quality from the get go.  The intro is flawless and Osbourne's first vocal is equal to that.  The instrumental soon followed by the first chorus are 'as new' and then next instrumental 'bridge' from Iommi has no intrusion either.  The next verse is perfect and let's try to describe the next section - you know the guitar work just before Ozzy's 'Right' and then the next vocal accompanied by Ward's drumming - the sonic quality here is incredible.  So often you can miss things when listening to a track - I mean Ward's work here is phenomenal it really stands out, every beat so strong and powerful.  The remainder is of the same pristine quality and Iommi's work at the end sounds like the record was pressed yesterday, a bit like the rest of the album.  Another definitive version and Mint is the only grade I can give.

The deep menacing intro on 'Cornucopia' has no background and the first vocal is just as strong.  Every section plays with sublime quality, I have no more words!  This classic album so rarely plays to this high end standard and I repeat it is patently obvious it has hardly ever been on a turntable.  Yes 'loud' sections can mask some background, not that there is any, but every quiet section and the end of each note play with unbelievable clarity.  Mint

'Laguna Sunrise' plays beautifully without any background.  Every note so sharp and precise and again there is not even a solitary dust tick for company, just pure beautiful audio from the first note to the end of the fade out.  Mint

The intro on 'St. Vitus Dance' keeps up the standard and Osbourne's opening vocal is as clean as it was when first pressed.  It continues to impress with such precise and powerful audio.  No need to elaborate this is Mint on every level and I do mean Mint, I do not exaggerate my gradings as my feedback testifies.

This version of 'Under The Sun' is without doubt the most STUNNING version I have ever heard.  The foreboding intro is 'as new' and Osbourne's opening vocal is on a par with that.  It continues to play with exceptional quality and once again it's how clean and precise the audio is that leads me to say the entire track sounds 'as new' from the first note to the last.  You don't need me to tell you how rare that is as this track so often has a kind of static distortion on it and especially on the vocals.  Not here!  Every note is as clean as pure driven snow (no pun intended!) and the end section is a case in point.  Incredible work from Iommi as per usual and the power and depth and clarity on the audio is exemplary.  There is no inner groove distortion and it ends this classic album with immaculate Mint audio.  STUNNING!

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

More news in that the cover has also been so well preserved and has only minimal wear.  Being of a matte texture it is so often found with a lot of surface rub / spotting but this one is very clean.  The edges have hardly any wear and the spine is still perfectly in shape with hardly any wear on the corners, in fact only the bottom right corner has a little rubbing all the others are in great shape.  The opening edge is superb and has no handling wear.  As stated the front cover is in excellent condition with only very minimal spotting around the edges and the back cover is very similar with just a little ringwear at the bottom also.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and the 4 page photo booklet is still 100% attached to the cover.  A superb example and one of the best I have ever seen.

The inner sleeve (dated 1072) is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and very little creasing.  It has 3/4 small faint marks on one side and a bit of an odd blue band type thing running across the same side.

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

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

6360071  1Y//1  1 1  22  PORKY (etched)

6360071  2Y//1  1 1 1 7  PECKO (etched)

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 : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

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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!!