Black Sabbath : Sabotage 1st Press 1Y2 / 2Y1

This is known as the fifth variation of the first pressing and it plays to a standard that is so rarely found today.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is so impressive and there is no underlying static at all.  I have never heard clarity like it!  The only thing that stops it from being Mint are a couple of minor clicks but aside from that the audio cannot be faulted.

This pressing has the incorrect spelling of 'Meglomania' on the S1 label but is correct on the back cover.  The 'hidden' track at the end of S2 is not mentioned anywhere and the cover is fully textured. 

The cover is in beautiful condition with no obvious shelf wear at all and is easily the finest example I have ever encountered.  The original inner is also in great shape.

9119 001  1Y // 2  ST  1 1 6   STERLING stamped

9119 001  2Y // 1  ST  1 1 4   STERLING stamped

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (Track 3 Near Mint+)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (Track 2 & 3 Near Mint+)

The cover is Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner is Near Mint

Visual grading

This is a superb example of a beautifully preserved vinyl that has no marks or scratches and only a couple of ultra faint hairlines that are incredibly difficult to find!  It still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and basically looks 'as new' I can pay it no higher compliment.  There is only very minimal spindle wear and the run out grooves are also very clean.

Play grading  

The quiet 'band' intro on 'Hole In The Sky' has barely any 'background' and it then plays with a real sense of power and depth.  There is no interference, no distortion and the audio can correctly be described 'as new'.  I am confident in grading this as Mint and is a superb start to this first pressing.

The brief 'Don't Start (Too Late)' plays with stunning clarity - there are no clicks, pops, static or crackle and only a very small number of barely audible dust ticks.  Mint is again fully justified.

'Symptom Of The Universe' begins perfectly and the only 'interference' on the 'thrash' intro is one light click after about 30 seconds.  The first verse is flawless and it continues to play with sublime power and depth.  The typical deep Sabbath sound is very much in evidence here and aside from that one minor click the audio is absolutely stunning!  There is no other 'background' not even during the the final acoustic section and the fade out is also perfect.  A Near Mint+ version for sure.

The opening section on 'Megalomania' plays beautifully with only a handful of mega light dust ticks and as the volume increases the audio cannot be faulted.  It progresses in much the same way with no clicks or pops and no underlying static either.  There is no interference and from start to finish the audio is exceptional!  This has hardly been played such is the clarity and definition of the audio and whilst it all plays with stunning quality the instrumental end section in particular is breathtaking, it demands to be played loud!  A couple of clicks on the run off but of course the music has finished by then and overall this more than deserves a Mint- grade.  What a version!

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The intro on 'Thrill Of It All' is 'as new' it is so dynamic and as the vocal begins the spectacular does not stop there!  This is such a powerful version and each note can be heard with such perfect precision.  Honestly the clarity here is unbelievable and whilst I know I can get a little enthusiastic with my written offerings it is fully justified here!  This is without question the finest version I have ever heard and from the first groove to the last this is MINT in every possible way!  The end solo is a classic example of that...

'Supertzar' plays with wonderful quality from the word go, just a couple of dust ticks, and continues in the same way.  There is one very light click in the middle but it is easily missed and from then is faultless.  In essence a near perfect version with no distortion on the top end of the 'vocal' and Near Mint+ is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Am I Going Insane (Radio)' provides further proof, as if it were needed, of a vinyl so well preserved down the years.  A perfect opening gives way to stunning clarity for the remainder although there is one light click again the instrumental mid section.  This is slightly irritating as apart from that the audio is faultless so for that one millisecond of interference a Near Mint+ grade will have to suffice.  Even the end 'laughter' plays perfectly!

The super quiet intro on 'The Writ' has no 'background' of any kind, a genuine rarity, and the first vocal is 'as new'.  The following quieter passage again plays with imperious quality and this 'high end' standard is maintained throughout.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is sublime and every section is STUNNING!  There is not one single tick, click or pop and put simply it plays as well as it would've done back in '75!  As impressive a version that you could ever wish to hear this is Mint from start to finish and the fade out has no 'background' either.  After a pause the 'hidden' track 'Blow On A Jug', recorded at low volume, ends proceedings with no interference.

In summary the audio here is so strong and with only a couple of minor clicks the clarity can hardly be faulted.  In fact it is the clarity - the definition of the sound, as it were, that really stands out.  The playback is so incredibly clean and for once there is no underlying static whatsoever.  The audio really is stunning and would impress any collector who is after Near Mint / Mint pressings.

The Cover

The fully textured cover is in lovely condition with no real wear at all, it has been so well preserved over the years.  The edges are nigh on perfect with only a handful of tiny 'rubs' and the spine is perfect also.  There is barely any corner wear and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover is superb with no marking apart from a couple of mega tiny white 'specks' and the back cover is even better!  Overall a fantastic example of this cover that is hardly ever found as good as this.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner has no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing.  There is only a little age related marking along the top edges.

The Labels

The Nems labels are near perfect with no marking or writing and only a minimal amount of 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

9119 001  1Y // 2  ST  1 1 6   STERLING stamped

9119 001  2Y // 1  ST  1 1 4   STERLING stamped

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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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.

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