Black Sabbath : Paranoid 1st Press 1Y1 / 2Y1 w/Big Bear credit

This first pressing on the Vertigo label does play with some interference and this is detailed in full below.  In saying that the majority does play to an excellent standard, better than that in some sections, but yes there are some clicks and some static here and there.

One major reason why this album is so collectable is because of the 'Big Bear' credit on the inside cover which was omitted soon after release.  This particular copy does have some wear but is certainly not 'beaten up' in any way.  It is very clean overall and the original swirl inner is in excellent condition.

6360011  1Y // 1  420  1 2 3

6360011  2Y // 1  420  1 1 5

The audio on S1 ranges between Near Mint and VG- (please see below for a track by track grading)

The audio S2 ranges between Near Mint- and G+ (please see below for a track by track grading)

The gatefold is a strong VG

The labels are Ex+

The original swirl inner is Ex+

Visual grading

This first pressing has been played a fair amount judging by the amount of spindle wear and quite rightly so!  There are a couple of small scratches and a number of hairlines but these hairlines are largely superficial.  There is also one small mark on Side A.  Don't misunderstand me this vinyl is by no means 'wrecked' - it has just been played a lot and I have definitely seen worse examples!  As you can see from my audio grading below a lot of the album still plays extremely well.  The run out grooves and labels are actually very clean.

Play grading  

'War Pigs' has only minimal light static on the intro and even during the first vocal there is very little 'background'.  There are only 3/4 ticks and a couple of light clicks and overall the clarity is very impressive on this opening section.  As the volume increases there are about 12 light clicks but they are 'hidden' to a certain extent in the music apart from a couple which are a little louder.  The following instrumental section plays extremely well with barely any 'background' and only just before and during the next vocal is there some static and a little crackle.  The closing instrumental is stunning and plays with that typically deep Sabbath sound.  I would grade this as VG+ but there are many sections that play with Ex+ quality if not better.  There are certainly no loud pops or skips/jumps.

The intro on 'Paranoid' has only the lightest of static and then plays with powerful audio and barely any interference.  There are only a handful of mega light ticks and this easily qualifies as Ex+ the audio is that strong.

The very quiet 'Planet Caravan' has a little static on the intro and whilst this static persists throughout the track it remains a very good listen.  The vocals are very clear but yes there is the odd tick and a handful of clicks on the second half.  I think VG- is a fair assessment of the audio here.

The intro on 'Iron Man' is very 'clean' apart from a couple of minor 'swish' sounds and 2/3 light ticks.  It then plays with great clarity and power and no further 'background'.  This is without doubt a stunning version and definition of the audio cannot be underestimated.  There are no clicks or pops, no interference at all basically apart from the light static on the intro as stated.  So Ex on the intro and Near Mint for the remainder I am pleased to say.  

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'Electric Funeral' has four intrusive pop/clicks right at the start and the opening verse then plays very clearly with barely any 'background'.  It continues to play with very impressive clarity and no more interference apart from a small number of mega light static ticks towards the end.  As per the first/early Vertigo pressings the depth and warmth of the audio is so strong.  This is G+ on the intro but Ex+ on the remainder I would say.

The quiet intro on 'Hand Of Doom' has minimal static but after a few seconds there is some crackle and this persists into the first verse.  As the volume increases there is very little 'background' and the next quieter section again has only minimal non-intrusive static.  From then on it plays extremely well and the 'heavier' passages and the instrumental section are stunning and even the other quieter sections play well with only very light static which is in no way intrusive.  The final bass section has a small number of light clicks at the end.  The intro is VG- as is the last five seconds but everything in between is Ex to Ex+ :-)

The intro on 'Rat Salad' also has some rotational clicks and whilst the music plays clearly the click sound does continue for the majority of the track.  It is however relatively quiet for most of it accept for a couple of louder clicks at the end.  VG overall.

'Fairies Wear Boots' plays with much greater clarity from the very start.  There is hardly any static on the intro and the entire instrumental opening easily grades as Ex+ if not better.  This standard does not decrease as the vocal begins and it continues to play with exceptional clarity and definition.  There is just a minimal amount of vocal distortion here and there but it is not intrusive and to the end this classic plays with immense power.  The playback on the quieter end section is also very 'clean'.  I think this deserves a Near Mint- grade in my opinion.

In summary this very collectable first pressing is by no means a perfect copy but is certainly more than acceptable.  I have described the audio to the best of my abilities and whilst there is some interference there are many sections that play extremely well.  It's strange that it's the final tracks on each side that play with mega impressive audio!  So don't expect perfection here but if you want a 'Big Bear' pressing and don't want to pay an excessive amount then this is a more than adequate one to own.

The Gatefold

The matt textured cover does have some shelf wear but not an excessive amount.  The top edges do not have very much rubbing but the bottom edges do have a fair amount mainly from the centre to the left corner but there are no splits.  The spine has a few rubs and some wear on the corners but it remains 100% legible.  The opening edge also has some handling wear but definitely not an excessive amount.  The front cover is actually very clean but you can see a little foxing but only when it is held at a certain angle and a couple of faint scratch lines.  There is also a small crease bottom left.  The back cover is similar with just some faint foxing.  The inside of the gatefold with the all important 'Big Bear' credit is in lovely condition with only a small number of very faint marks.  Not a perfect cover but certainly not a trashed one!

Inner 'Swirl' Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'swirl' inner, dated 0470' has no side splits or tears and only a minimal amount of age related fading.  A very clean example.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in superb order with no foxing and no marking or writing.  There is some spindle wear as stated.

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

6360011  1Y // 1  420  1 2 3

6360011  2Y // 1  420  1 1 5

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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