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Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath 3rd / 4th Press Vertigo 1971

This early Vertigo pressing plays with stunning quality, I cannot emphasise enough just how good!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is quite simply on a other level.  Sonically it is incredible and it's up there with the best versions of this classic album that I have ever heard.  The only background really is one light tick on 'Sleeping Village' - you would not believe just how clean and precise the audio is here.  They're all classics of course but 'Black Sabbath' and the epic 'Warning' are genuine stand outs.  In saying that they all play with phenomenal quality and this is easily a FINAL UPGRADE version.  It does not get any better than this.

The iconic Keef cover is in fantastic condition and rarely turn up as clean as this.  One impressive feature among many is that it has perfectly retained its original shape and structure.  The original Vertigo inner is in excellent condition also with only minimal wear.

This pressing has the smaller swirl logo and VERTIGO written above the spindle hole on S2.  The band, production and composition credits are in lower case but Ozzy Osbourne is still spelt incorrectly as Ossy Osborne.

VO 6  1Y * 1  420  1 2  2 4

VO 6  2Y // 2 ▽ 420 1 1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T2 first vocal section Near Mint)

The gatefold is Ex+

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex

The Vertigo labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in great condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light light I can see some very faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out.  There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag rash' and under 'normal' light the vinyl is visually stunning to say the least.  The Vertigo labels have only a little spindle wear.

Play grading

The tolling bell / thunderstorm intro on 'Black Sabbath' plays with stunning clarity and definition - just shut your eyes during this section, it's like you're outside in the rain!  As the band come in the audio is so powerful and deep and without any background.  The first quiet section incorporating Ozzy's opening vocal is so close to perfect with only a couple of minor statics that you could easily miss.  The instrumental bridge is perfect and the next quiet passage is close to that with just one very quiet tick at the start.  Ozzy's vocal is so 'clean' and it's patently obvious already this vinyl has hardly been played because the original sonic quality is still very much evidence.  Iommi's next section is so strong and... menacing!  There is no background and as it speeds up into the final section the playback is flawless.  This closing instrumental also plays with exceptional power and depth and there is no distortion on the top end.  I think Mint- is fair.

There is complete silence in the dead wax and then the harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' is close to perfect with just one minor static sound.  The next section where Iommi and co join in is 'as new' and the opening vocal section is just as impressive.  It continues to play with impeccable quality and you really notice just how 'precise' the audio is - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and no distortion, crystal clear in other words.  The mid instrumental is perfect and then the final vocal / instrumental are of the same high end standard.  The depth, power and resonance of the audio is 10/10 and the clarity is equal to that.  Another Mint- track.

The entire intro on 'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' is as good as new also and the same applies to the opening vocal section.  If there is any background I will always mention it even if it's a dust tick and barely audible.  So far so good there is literally no background thus far!  The instrumental bridge is just as clean as is the following vocal section.  There is none of the static distortion that you so often find and I cannot praise this version highly enough.  The remainder plays with phenomenal power and definition and Ward's closing percussive section is perfect and then some!  This classic is Mint from start to finish.

Butler's unmistakable bass intro on 'N.I.B.' plays with STUNNING clarity, every note kind of enhanced in a way something you only find on a very clean vinyl.  A couple of insignificant statics no more.  Iommi's first introduction is perfect and Ozzy's opening vocal is just as strong.  This standard is kept up as it progresses - for once there is no inner groove distortion, another sign this vinyl has only been lightly played and very well preserved also.  The mid 'solo' from Iommi is outstanding, the audio so deep and powerful, and the final vocal / instrumental have no intrusion either.  Perhaps a minor amount of inner groove distortion towards the end but as I often say it is so so minimal and totally non-intrusive.  Probably stupid to even mention it!  Actually the more I listen it the more I am impressed - that final solo section from Iommi is incredible!  I am happy to grade this one as Mint- also - a superb version!

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The intro on 'Evil Woman...' is perfect as is the opening vocal section and wow is Butler's deep bass so high in the mix!  the sonic quality is immense and it continues in the same way.  All verses and every chorus play with stunning precision and the mid instrumental is on the same level.  It's a dynamic Mint version, the definitive version it could be said.

The quiet intro on 'Sleeping Village' plays with exceptional clarity, I only heard one very quiet static.  The first vocal is close to perfect with just one light tick on the final word and the following instrumental is STUNNING.  Every section plays with a clarity and definition that could not bettered and 'as new' is fair.  Each note is so clean and precise - Butler's bass and Ward's percussion are just fantastic here!  Honestly I cannot overstate just how phenomenal the audio is - wow!  Even Iommi's long final note plays to perfection.  I will grade the opening section as Near Mint but from then on Mint is very much deserved.

The 'heavy' bass intro on 'Warning' is flawless and the opening vocal section is equally as good.  The instrumental bridge has no intrusion and the next vocal section again deserves the 'as new' tag.  The bass and percussion sound is STUNNING - so deep, rich and powerful and again I am just blown away by the sonic quality here.  As Ward begins the long instrumental passage the audio is of the same standard and as it descends into near silence there is no background whatsoever.  The clarity and depth on the audio is on a level you so rarely find today.  Iommi's next stand alone solo section is incredible.  The next silence is... 100% silent and it continues to play with breath-taking quality.  I'm trying to find new ways in which to describe the audio but only 'as new' will do really!  Every section is crystal clear with not even a dust tick for company and that long Iommi note towards the end?  100% perfect.  As Ward and Butler come back in there is no decrease in quality and Ozzy's final vocal has no interference either.  As is often the case it is a little quieter than the other vocals on the track but that's no doubt due to how it was recorded / produced, perhaps deliberate who knows.  It goes without saying that this is easily one of the most 'complete' versions of this 10 minute plus classic that I have ever listened to and not even a minus is necessary.  I firmly believe Mint is richly deserved here.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

The cover is in lovely condition with hardly any wear.  Only one top edge and one bottom edge has a minimal amount of rubbing near the right hand corner and the wide spine is very clean with only light wear near the bottom corner.  The other corners are in great shape with barely any wear and the opening edge has only a couple of tiny 'crimps'.  The front cover is stunning and has lost none of its original matt finish, it has just one small corner crease bottom right.  The back cover is equally as impressive with only one minor corner crease and there is no marking on either side.  The inside of the gatefold is in SUPERB condition and how rare is that?!  It is so clean and has hardly any of the spotting / marking around the edges that you so often find and the only issue really is one small scuff by the left edge and an even small one on the right side.  I've just noticed one small sticker removal mark on the front, it is very minor.  Overall though this is a stunning example of this iconic cover.

The original poly-lined inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and very little marking.  A little creasing but nothing major.

VO 6  1Y * 1  420  1 2  2 4

VO 6  2Y // 2 ▽ 420 1 1 2

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

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!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

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

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £19.95 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!!