Sheer Heart Attack (3U/3U) mega rare very First Pressing

It is commonly believed that 3U/4U is the first press matrix of this classic album but this is not actually true.  On Queenmuseum.com the first reported commercial issue has matrix numbers of 3U/3U and only around 2000 were pressed.  Therefore this is the one of the rarest pressings known of this album, perhaps the rarest and the fact that it is a genuine first pressing of course makes it even more rare and collectible.

There are only two stampers on each side denoting it as one of the very early first pressings. 

There is also no Trident logo on the back cover which is another indication of a genuine first press and and the lyric inner has two cropped corners.

  EMC 3061 // YAX 4881 - 3U / YAX 4882 - 3U // Mother Stampers LM 1 & HG 1

The audio on Side One is Near Mint (Mint for the vast majority / 'Now I'm Here' is Ex)

The audio on Side Two is Near Mint (Mint for the vast majority)

The laminated cover is Near Mint

The lyric inner is Ex+ (no splits!)
The original EMI labels are Mint

 Visual grading

  This vinyl has only been lightly played as there is only a minor amount of spindle wear on each label.  S1 has a few very faint hairlines and S2 even less but there are no scratches at all.  There is just one very small mark on S2 that has no affect on the audio.  It is rare to find a 3U/3U press looking (and sounding) as good as this and even after 43 years it retains a lustrous glossy sheen.  The laminated cover is also in wonderful condition.

Play grading

'Brighton Rock' begins S1 with superlative audio and plays with a power and clarity that is practically impossible to beat.  There is only a minor, and I mean minor (!) hint of static during the quieter section of the guitar solo but your ears have to be very close to the speakers in order to hear it!  'Killer Queen' is stunning, you have to hear it to believe it!  It plays with Mint audio the quality is that good.  'Tenement Funster' has audio of the same quality and plays with no interference whatsoever.  As I always say when selling first/early pressings I am always so impressed with the production values on this LP.  The power of the recording and depth of the bass is just superb.  'Flick Of The Wrist' again plays with immaculate sound quality and immense power and no distortion.  I'm running out of superlatives again!  'Lily Of The Valley' plays with only one click type sound and a tiny hint of static and yet still displays very impressive audio that is sublime to the ears!  'Now I'm Here' does have a couple of clicks at the beginning but thereafter plays with very clear sound and no further interference although there is some light distortion which is very common on the first and early pressings.  This is often caused when the grooves are pressed closer together in order to 'fit' the track onto the side.     

'In The Lap Of The Gods' plays with stunning precision and is just a shade off Mint quality.  'Stone Cold Crazy' more than equals this high standard with great depth and volume and no distortion.  For such a quiet track 'Dear Friends' plays beautifully with only a couple of mega light dust ticks near the start and only a hint of static towards the end.  This really is audio of the highest order and the quality does not diminish as the side progresses and the remaining tracks also display a clarity and precision that is just so rare on a very first 3U/3U pressing.  '...Lap Of The Gods...revisited' ends this stunning LP with near perfect audio.  I heard only a couple of dust ticks throughout the entire playback and just a little crackle directly after the 'explosion' right at the end.  Incredibly the end section has hardly any distortion which is a rarity.

In summary this 3U/3U first press is another genuine final upgrade LP I am selling.  For a 43 year old vinyl to play so well is a mega rarity.  Yes there are 2/3 clicks on 'Now I'm Here' but that is the only interference of any note and there are no clicks on S2 whatsoever!  It plays with impeccable quality and any die-hard fan would be keen to have this in their collection.

Cover

This is without doubt one of the best G & L fully laminated covers I have ever seen and visually it is stunning!  As stated it does not have the Trident logo on the bottom right of the back cover.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in immaculate condition with no rubbing and the opening edge also remains in superb shape.  Only the corners of the opening edge have a very minor amount of wear, very very minor!  There are a few very small creases around the edges but that is common with laminated covers and they are not that noticeable.  The laminate itself is in fantastic shape with no splits or lifting anywhere.  It still has that glossy look to it and quite honestly this is as close to 'as new' as I have seen in a long time and to think it houses a 3U/3U pressing - wow!

Lyric inner

The paper lyric inner is exceptionally clean and in near perfect condition with only a couple of very small creases.  It has two cropped corners as per the first/early pressings.  The only negative is a small red 'stamp' mark on S2 and I have no idea what it means!  Despite that it is one of the best you will find and considering it is made of paper it is remarkable that it has remained in this condition for so long with no splits or tears.

The labels

They are in immaculate condition with only a little spindle wear and no writing/markings.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

EMC 3061 // YAX 4881 - 3U / YAX 4882 - 3U // Mother Stampers LM 1 & HG 1

Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AS TOO MANY ITEMS GO MISSING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKED IN PROFESSIONAL MAILERS WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS.  THEY ARE ALSO PLACED IN SEPARATE SLEEVES AND PLACED OUTSIDE THE COVER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST.

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK AS SOON AS I RECEIVE FEEDBACK - SO I KNOW THE ITEM WAS 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!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be putting plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Marillion items on the site so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!

FOR ITEMS SENT OVERSEAS I WOULD SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" ESPECIALLY FOR ITEMS SELLING OVER £40.00.  IT PROTECTS US BOTH IF ITEMS GET LOST OR DAMAGED IN THE POST AND COSTS AN EXTRA £6.00 SO PLEASE JUST ASK IF YOU WOULD PREFER THIS. 

UK POSTAGE RATES (SECOND CLASS)

LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.75 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £7.95 then £1.25 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD 

LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra