Sheer Heart Attack 3U / 4U

This classic album plays with a clarity and power that is stunning.  As I always do I have listened to every second and a full grading is given below.  The laminated 'no Trident logo' cover is in fantastic condition as is the lyric inner with the cut corners.  It is so clean and has no splits!

A 3U/4U matrix is often sold as a genuine first pressing and may well be.  However, I have sold a small number of 3U/3U pressings over the years but I am led to believe that the 3U/4U was cut at the same time so could also be considered as a first pressing.

EMC 3061 // YAX 4881 - 3U / YAX 4882 - 4U // AT 1 / O 1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The cover is Near Mint

The lyric inner is Near Mint

The labels are Mint

Visual grading

This is a spectacular looking vinyl.  It gleams as if only pressed yesterday and the glossy sheen is stunning.  There is only one mega tiny spindle trace on each side (so difficult to spot!) and the vinyl is also so clean.  There are no scratches and only one very small obvious hairline on S2 that has no affect on the immaculate audio.  This is one of the cleanest 3U/4U pressings that you will find and I cannot emphasise enough just how good it looks.  The labels and run out grooves quite simply look 'as new'.  This is one beautiful vinyl!

Play grading  

'Brighton Rock' plays with stunning precision from the very first groove and rarely have I heard this 'circus' intro playing so well.  There is no 'background' at all and as Brian's guitar comes in soon followed by Roger and Freddie the playback is sensational.  There is such depth and warmth and in essence the entire track is 'as new'.  As I often say when selling this album the production on this record is just so strong and when you get one as well preserved as this the definition is further enhanced.  The guitar instrumental section is stunning and all I heard was a handful of mega quiet dust ticks, something you always expect to find on vinyl and especially one that is 45 years old!  The final verse and end section play so powerfully and with no intrusion.  A stunning start to the side.

'Killer Queen' plays with superb clarity from start to finish although I did hear one faint click half way through but is largely lost in the music.  Aside from that the audio is 'high end' and there is no other interference at all.  The fade out also plays with perfect precision.

The acoustic intro on 'Tenement Funster' is nigh on immaculate with only a handful of barely audible dust ticks.  Thereafter it plays with stunning precision and such a strong bass sound.  The definition and clarity is just Mint that is a honest appraisal.  There is no distortion on the top end and any Queen collector would just be impressed by the immaculate quality on offer here.

'Flick Of The Wrist'?  Wow what a version!  From start to finish it is 'as new' with astounding power and depth.  Audio does not get better than this!  There is not a single click or pop not even a dust tick!  This is as Mint as it was back in '74!

You need a come down after that and 'Lily Of The Valley' provides it.  I am pleased to say it does not disappoint and plays with no interference.  A couple of dust ticks at the beginning but for such a quiet track it plays with sublime precision and another perfect fade out.  Mint- without question.

'Now I'm Here' is breathtakingly good.  The intro has no 'background' and from then on plays with incredibly strong audio.  This track, as we all know, is often affected by inner groove distortion, but there is only a minimal amount here.  From start to finish the audio is so impressive and the long fade out has no 'background' at all.  A superb finish to a side that plays , quite rare for any side let alone one of this age.

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The soring intro on 'In The Lap Of The Gods' is totally 100% stunning!  It plays with a power and depth that is so rarely heard today.  The clarity of sound is just so impressive.  The first verse is equal to that and has only a handful of barely audible dust ticks.  The remainder of this classic plays to tan impeccable standard with not one iota of interference.

'Stone Cold Crazy' is 'as new' and 'rocks out' in sublime style.  For fear of sounding repetitive the power and depth is 'as new' there is just nothing that detracts from the Mint quality of the audio.  No distortion either.

'Dear Friends' is a real test for any vinyl let alone a 45 year old one!  I am delighted to say this passes that test admirably and the only 'background' if you can call it that is couple of dust ticks on the intro and a couple of light ticks on the fade out.  The warmth and depth here is only find on a well preserved vinyl such as this, it cannot be replicated by any other medium.  This is Near Mint it is that good.

'Misfire' and 'Bring Back Leroy Brown' go one better and grade as Mint the playback is exceptional.  The clarity is 'high end' and the audio cannot be faulted in any way.  100% stunning.

The warmth and depth on 'She Makes Me...' comes through so clearly on this amazing vinyl and the clarity is again immaculate.  There is no interference and the end sequence in particular is stunning!  There is clarity and then there is this clarity!  It is patently obvious this record has been hardly played down the years.

'In The Lap Of The Gods...revisited' ends this super impressive album with dynamic audio and...no interference - not one click or pop and no static or crackle either.  There is a little inner groove distortion on the end section but that is so often the case.  The 'bomb' at the end is so powerful and there are only a couple of mega faint ticks on the fade out.

In summary this 3U/4U pressing is a FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE vinyl in my opinion.  The clarity and depth throughout is so impressive and there is barely any 'background'.  This is one vinyl that has been barely played and that is borne out by the total lack of spindle wear, the stunning visual look of the vinyl...oh and the audio!  The sonic quality is stunning and with only one faint click on S1 audio does not get a lot better than this.  The 'no Trident' logo cover and lyric inner are also in beautiful condition and will please the most avid of collectors.

The Cover

This is one of the most impressive G&L no Trident logo laminated covers that I have ever seen.  Only the earliest pressings were manufactured without the Trident logo and not too many are found today and certainly not in this condition.  It retains a stunning glossy look and the edges and thin pinched spine are 'as new' with no rubbing at all, how rare is that?!  Plus there is no obvious corner wear either and that is practically unheard of, just one mega tiny crease on the bottom right corner.  The opening edge has no handling wear and the laminate on the front cover is in perfect condition with no splits or lifting at all, there are just a small number of the usual minor creases around the edges.  The back cover is very similar with only one tiny laminate lift near the spine and one crease just above the title.  This is a beautiful cover and I cannot underestimate just how good it looks, it has obviously hardly ever been handled.

The Lyric Inner

This paper lyric inner is also in fantastic condition and has no splits, tears or creasing which is such a rarity.  It has been so well preserved down the years and as per the genuine first and early pressings it has two cropped corners, some have three.  It is also incredibly clean with no marking of any kind.  This is one of the cleanest I have ever seen.

The Labels

The original EMI labels are 'as new' with no marking or writing and as stated next to no spindle wear at all.  You need a magnifying glass to spot just the one mega tiny trace on each side!  They really are in pristine condition.

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 // AT 1 / O 1

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.

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 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!!