Black Sabbath : Vol 4 1st Press 1Y1 / 2Y1

This FINAL UPGRADE first pressing on the Vertigo label may well be the most stunning example I have ever had the pleasure in listening to!  It has not been played very much judging by the audio quality and minimal spindle wear and there is not one click or pop!  There is also barely any static which is such a rarity for this 48 year old record.  Even the quieter tracks play with wonderful clarity.

A first pressing has no 'Made in England' on the Side B label and no track times on the inner gatefold.  The cover has a matt texture and the VO Price Code on the back.  Porky and Pecko which is hand etched on the run out grooves is also only seen on the first pressings.  This of course relates to the famous cutting/mastering engineer George Peckham which is another reason why this issue is so collectable.

This cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and this is detailed below.  The inner booklet is still 100% attached.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and these are shown below.  Please could you wait before making payment so I can calculate the exact cost.

6360071 1Y // 1  1 2 1 8 PORKY

6360071 2Y // 1  1 1 2 PECKO

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Track 1 & 2 Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint-

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Near Mint
The original swirl inner is Near Mint
Play grading  

'Wheels Of Confusion' plays with stunning quality from the first groove to the last.  The sonic quality cannot be faulted and there is no background static at all and obviously there are no clicks or pops.  Every section is superb but the classic end section in particular is so impressive and even the fade out plays with perfect precision, not even a dust tick!  This is Mint I can confidently say.

The complete silence in the dead wax provides further evidence of the impeccable clarity on offer here and 'Tomorrow's Dream' then plays to the same 'high end' standard.  The power and depth of the music is sublime and Mint is again deserved.

'Changes' so often has a fair amount of static distortion on the first/early pressings due to it being such a quiet track but this is undoubtedly one of the finest versions I have ever heard.  There are no clicks, pops or crackle and only the bare minimum of very light background static here and there.  However, this is so minimal, so quiet and non-intrusive, and I only mention it to be 'complete' in my grading.  Each note can be heard so clearly and Near Mint is an honest appraisal of the audio here.

'FX' is another fine example of a vinyl so well preserved down the years.  It again has barely any static and for this mega quiet instrumental this is so rare!  Near Mint again.

'Supernaut' ends the side with superlative audio once more.  It has only a minimal amount of the inner groove distortion that you always find with this 'high octane' track and plays so well from start to finish with no interference.  Any distortion is minor and it is only on the vocal really, the music itself is so strong and 'clean'.  The long fade out has no 'background' which again is rare.  Near Mint

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'Snowblind' is absolutely STUNNING in every way!  It plays with a depth and resonance that you so rarely hear and the clarity is just exceptional.  You would think this record was pressed yesterday...on high quality vinyl that is!  I honestly do not think I have heard this track play with such incredible separation - you can hear each note with such precision and there is obviously no distortion.  An amazing Mint start to the side.

'Cornucopia' is of the same immaculate Mint standard, the clarity and definition is outstanding.  There is not one iota of interference.  Audio does not get better than this!

'Laguna Sunrise' plays beautifully and again you cannot believe the clarity on offer here.  For such a quiet instrumental you would expect some interference but no!  It is 'as new' with a clarity and definition that cannot be improved upon.  This is Mint without a doubt.

For fear of sounding repetitive 'St. Vitus Dance' is of the same standard with no 'background' at all.  No clicks, pops, static or crackle not even a dust tick!

'Under The Sun' ends this fine album with superb power and depth and for once has no distortion.  And no interference either!  From the first groove to the last it plays with outstanding clarity and power and the classic end section is a case in point.  There is so much 'going on' musically and yet there is no distortion.  A breathtaking Mint end for sure.  Wow!

In summary this first pressing is of a standard that you so rarely find today.  S1 is stunning and S2 is even more stunning!  The sonic quality is so impressive and the audio definition and separation could not be bettered in my opinion.  This is clearly a record that has not been overplayed and any collector would love to have this in their collection. 

Visual grading

You will not be surprised to hear that the vinyl is visually is lovely condition and retains an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  It is as close to perfect as could be with no marks or scratches and only one small visible hairline on S2.  It is a beautiful record and again has no groove wear and not very much spindle wear.  The run out grooves are also supremely clean.

The Gatefold

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and unlike so many has barely any of the fading/spotting that you so often see.  The edges have a little rubbing but certainly not an excessive amount and the wide spine is in great shape with barely any wear just a little on the corners.  The right hand corners are very clean with only minimal wear and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is in superb order with no 'spotting' like I said and the only negative really is two tiny pin holes in the top right corner which can be see on the reverse side and on the back cover.  A shame but they are very small.  The back cover is very clean also with only a very minimal amount of very faint white 'spotting', hardly any!  The inside of the gatefold is in superb condition, aside from the tiny pin holes, and the inner booklet remains firmly attached.  A very impressive cover overall and 'cleaner' than the vast majority that you find today.

The Inner Sleeve

The original swirl inner is in fantastic condition with no side splits and only a minimal amount of age related fading on the top edge.  It is so clean and has only very light creasing.

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are in superb order with not very much spindle wear and no marking, writing or 'spotting'.

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

6360071 1Y // 1  1 2 1 8 PORKY

6360071 2Y // 1  1 1 2 PECKO

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

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