Black Sabbath : Black Sabbath (Vertigo Swirl Label 1Y1/2Y2)

This FINAL UPGRADE fourth pressing plays to an immaculate standard with wonderful clarity and power.  With only a couple of static ticks on S1 the remainder of the audio cannot be faulted.  I can confidently say 99% of this classic album is 'as new' and as always I have listened to every second.

The gatefold is one of the most impressive I have seen and remains strong and robust with very little shelf wear.  As it is early pressing it has 'Ossie' on the credits rather than the correct 'Ozzy' of course.  The original swirl inner is also in excellent condition.

VO 6   1Y * 1   420 1 9  2 4

VO 6   2Y // 2 ?  420  1  1   2

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 1 Near Mint although Mint- for 99%!)

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The gatefold is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Ex

Visual grading

This is about as good as it gets!  The vinyl shines with a stunning glossy sheen and all I can detect is one small faint hairline on S1 which has no affect on the immaculate audio at all.  This has been so well cared for down the years and there are no marks or scratches either.  It is visually stunning to say the least!  The run out grooves are beautifully clean and not an excessive amount of spindle wear.  This is a stunning example of a Vertigo pressing.

Play grading  

With barely any static on the lead in grooves you just know this is going to play with stunning quality and it does not disappoint!  The 'weather / bell toll' intro on 'Black Sabbath' is immaculate - 'as new' in fact and has no 'background' of any kind.  The first instrumental section is of the same standard and as the vocal begins there are just a couple of faint static ticks.  From then on the audio plays with a depth and power that is hard to find on these early Vertigo pressings.  The clarity is exceptional and even during the 'quieter' moments there is no interference whatsoever - no clicks, pops, static or crackle, not even a dust tick!  The playback is incredible and this continues to the final note.  The 'high octane' end section could not play any better and reverberates around the room with dynamic power and no distortion at all.  I will grade this as Near Mint because of the two static ticks near the beginning but the remainder is Mint without question.

The harmonica intro on 'The Wizard' is as 'clean' as the day when first released back in the early 70s and then plays to the same exacting standard throughout.  The clarity is again 'off the scale' and a Mint grade is a fair reflection, a minus is not required!  I listen to every second so as to provide a comprehensive description and whilst I appreciate systems can play differently there is just no interference here and even the fade out plays with perfect precision.

'Behind The Wall Of Sleep' again impresses from the very first groove and the entire track plays with a distinction that you only find on a vinyl that has only been lightly played and beautifully well preserved also.  The percussive/bass section at the end is a prime example of this - it is nigh on perfect with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  Wow!  Mint again :-)

'N.I.B.' is more than equal to this and plays with a power and clarity that is second to none.  What is impressive is that there is no inner groove distortion - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and you can hear each note with stunning precision.  Iommi's solo at the end is awesome, it could not play with greater power or depth.  Audio does not get any better than this!  This is why we listen to vinyl - you cannot beat it as no other medium can replicate the depth and warmth that it offers.  If you're reading this though you don't need me to tell you that!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Evil Woman...' plays with unrivalled clarity and power right from the first groove and continues in the same way to the final groove.  There is not one iota of interference, just pure unadulterated Mint audio from start to finish, and again the fade out plays with 100% perfection.

With complete silence in the the dead wax the quiet intro on 'Sleeping Village' coudl not play with any greater clarity.  There is not even a dust tick!  How many albums that are approaching 50 years of age play as clearly as this on the opening grooves?!  The long instrumental section then plays with sublime power and once more the clarity is stunning with no interference to be heard.  Honestly this is just 'shop fresh' there is no other way to describe it!  And the strength of the bass is what adds so much to this track.  Iommi's long final note has no 'background' on it and again I am confident in grading this as Mint the audio could not be improved upon.

The thumping bass that introduces 'Warning' is so powerful and has no interference, never heard better!  Osborne's first vocal is 'as new' and as Ward's percussion signals the start of the long instrumental section the clarity and depth is immaculate.  The first 'silent' section is exactly that, totally silent with not even a dust tick!  This is audio of the highest calibre and I cannot fault it in any way.  The playback is sensational and the remainder is 'as new' with no interference of any kind.  The extended Iommi solo is quite simply the most spectacular I have ever heard.  There are so many quiet sections and there is just no 'background' whatsoever, I'm running out of superlatives for this incredible audio!   The final vocal plays perfectly and the power, depth and clarity across the entire track is so impressive and it's easy to grade this as Mint as there is not so much as a dust tick to be heard!  100% stunning!!

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE pressing plays with sublime quality from start to finish.  This is a vinyl that has been so well preserved and has clearly not been played that much.  The clarity is astounding and there is no distortion either.  It is not an exaggeration to say it plays 'as new' bar a couple of seconds on S1.  Ok it is not a first pressing but it is so rare for a Vertigo Swirl record to play with such admirable sonic quality.  The gatefold is also in superb shape with very little shelf wear.  A stunning version the likes of which are rarely seen today.

The Gatefold

The matt finish gatefold has retained its original 'look' so well and is still very strong and robust as if it hasn't been handled too much.  The top edges have no wear at all and the bottom edges have only a minimal amount of rubbing.  The wide spine is faultless apart from a little rubbing on the bottom corner.  The right hand corner has some rubbing also but the top corners are in lovely condition and the opening edge has only a small amount of handling wear.  The front cover is so clean with no marking and the back cover is almost as good with only one mega tiny crease top left.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with none of the fading that you regularly see.  A fine example of this cover that is fast approaching 50 years old.

Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined swirl inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and only some age related fading around the edges.  There is very little creasing.

The Labels

The famous Vertigo labels are in great condition and still have their original black and white colour with no marking or writing.  There is also not too much spindle wear.

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

VO 6   1Y * 1   420 1 9  2 4

VO 6   2Y // 2 ?  420  1  1   2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, 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 (Standard)

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

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

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

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 I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  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!!