Sheer Heart Attack 1st Press 3U/4U (Mega Rare G1/G1 stampers!)

This is a real find!  This mega rare first pressing has the first ever G1/G1 stampers on both sides!  These stampers are the 'holy grail' for the any collector and are therefore highly prized.  Any record with a 'G' stamper letter indicates that the record was made from the very first stamper using EMIs GRAMOPHLTD system where G = 1 and R = 2 etc.  A record with an MH stamp would have been made with the 47th stamper.  Generally 300-500 records were pressed with each stamper so you can see just how early the one I am selling is which is why it is so highly collectable.  It may even be the first!!

The album plays with great quality and as per the first pressings the cover does not have the Trident logo on the reverse.  The lyric sleeve also has the four cut corners which again was only issued with the genuine first pressings.

EMC 3061 // YAX 4881 - 3U / YAX 4882 - 4U // G 1 / G 1

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Mint- in many sections)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / track 1 intro Ex+)

The cover is Ex

The lyric inner is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual grading

The vinyl does have a number of faint hairlines but they have little or no affect on the superb quality of the audio.  There is just the one very small scratch mark at the start of S2 causing only minimal interference.  Overall this G1/G1 first pressing is in excellent condition and whilst there are some hairlines they are superficial and at first glance the vinyl is very clean indeed.  It has not been overplayed and remains in excellent condition for a vinyl of this rarity.

Play grading  

'Brighton Rock' has barely any static on the intro and as is synonymous with this album plays with a stunning deep rich audio.  The sound quality throughout is of an excellent standard for a genuine first ever first pressing.  There is a little static and a couple of light clicks during the 'quieter' guitar solo but this is vinyl and a little 'background' adds to the audio experience one could say.  The remainder plays in superb fashion with no interference.  'Killer Queen' plays with incredible clarity from start to finish.  There are a small number of light ticks but they are so much in the background as to be non-intrusive.  What follows is a breathtaking version of the often underrated 'Tenement Funster' with no interference if any kind.  The power and depth on offer here is of the highest quality and it plays 'as new'.  'Flick Of The Wrist' also plays with immaculate quality.  Not one click or pop and certainly no static or crackle, this is audio as it is meant to be heard.  There is no distortion and again the depth and sonic quality here is first class.  These last two tracks grade as Mint- without doubt.  For such a quiet track 'Lily Of The Valley' plays with fantastic audio for the vast majority.  I heard only faint click only but aside from that there is no other 'background' and even the fade out plays perfectly.  'Now I'm Here' ends S1 with wonderful power and very little distortion.  As any Queen collector knows distortion this track is often affected by said distortion but I am pleased to say there is only a minimal amount here and there is no other 'background' either.  The fade out plays very near perfect precision, just a little crackle literally on the last couple of seconds.

The intro on 'In The Lap Of The Gods' plays with great power and only one faint click.  There is some quiet crackle on the first quiet section that last for a few seconds only but from then on plays with stunning brilliance and no other 'background'.  'Stone Cold Crazy' is 'as new' from the very first groove.  There is no distortion and it plays with such immense power and such a strong bass.  Absolutely superb!  'Dear Friends' is very impressive and has no clicks or pops and again for a mega quiet track is a superb listen.  A couple of barely noticeable dust ticks perhaps and a little static at the end of the fade out but a wonderful version nonetheless.  'Misfire' plays with Mint- audio and 'Bring Back Leroy Brown' also plays to the same standard with impeccable sound.  'She Makes Me...' again plays with astounding clarity and warmth and I am confident in grading this as Mint- such is the quality on offer.  'In The Lap Of The Gods...revisited' ends this classic album with dynamic power yet again and no intrusive interference at all.  If I'm being super critical there is perhaps just a minimal touch of distortion on the end section but this is commonplace and certainly does not mar the enjoyment of the listen.  The 'bomb' fade out plays with stunning clarity and no obvious 'background'.

In summary for a very rare G1/G1 first pressing the audio plays to an exceptional standard for the vast majority, indeed the quality is Mint- for about 95% of this record in my opinion.  I take my grading seriously as my feedback confirms and I listen to every second as every rare record (and buyer!) deserves.  G1/G1 stampers are rarely on the 'market' and especially in this condition.  This comes with the correct 'no Trident' logo on the back cover and the correct lyric inner which are both in very impressive condition.

The Cover

The original laminated 'no Trident logo' cover is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear. The edges and thin pinched spine are beautifully clean with no rubbing or marking and even the corners are in fantastic shape with hardly any wear.  The opening edge has only been lightly handled with just a very small amount of wrinkling.  The laminate on both sides has no splits and both the front and back cover are extremely clean.  The former does have a couple of faint sticker removal marks top right.  There are also a few small creases around the edges, mainly either side of the spine, but this always occurs with laminated covers.  On all subsequent pressings the Trident logo can be seen on the back cover bottom right but for some reason was omitted on the first pressings.  So as well as a super rare vinyl you have a rare cover!  Considering its rarity this cover is in wonderful condition and will not disappoint.

The Lyric inner

This paper inner has certainly not seen the light of day too often!  Again as per the genuine first pressings it has the four cropped corners.  It is so clean and has only a couple of tiny marks that are hardly worth mentioning really!  The edges are in sublime condition and only the bottom edge has a very small 2cm split.  It is a very 'clean' split and I wasn't sure if it was there at all to be honest, had to double check!  There is some light ringwear also but that is to be expected with all paper inners.  A fantastic version and easily the best I have seen on a first pressing.

The labels

The original EMI labels are super clean with no marking or writing and whilst there is some spindle wear, a little more on S2, there is by no means an excessive amount.

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

EMC 3061 // YAX 4881 - 3U / YAX 4882 - 4U // G 1 / G 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!