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

This first pressing on the Vertigo label plays to a FINAL UPGRADE standard with no intrusion on the audio at all.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio on both sides is stunning and even the two quieter tracks on S1 play with impeccable quality and no interference.  I have graded 'FX' as Near Mint but even that may be too harsh!  The vinyl is also perhaps the finest example I have ever seen and is visually stunning to say the least with no mark or scratches.

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the inner booklet is still fully attached.  This is one of the most impressive examples I have seen in a long time.  The original Swirl inner is also in lovely condition with no side splits.

As this is a first pressing there is 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.  You can also see the 'great COKE-Cola' credit on the inside.  Porky and Pecko is etched on the run out grooves which of course relates to the famous cutting/mastering engineer George Peckham - another reason why this issue is so collectable.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

6360071 1Y // 1   1 2 1 9   PORKY

6360071 2Y // 1   1 2 1 1   PECKO

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T4 'FX' Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex

The labels are Near Mint
The original Swirl inner is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is a work of art!  It really is in superb condition with a stunning jet-black glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only a very small number of very difficult to find sleeve removal hairlines.  The record has been so well preserved and as stated it is obvious it has not been over-played.  The labels are super clean with no marking or writing and only a spindle wear.  A sublime example of a first pressing!

Play grading

The intro on 'Wheels Of Confusion' plays with perfect precision from the very first groove with no sign of any interference.  The opening vocal is of the same standard and it continues to play stunning precision.  Already you can tell that the Sabbath definitive sound that you only find on the Vertigo pressings has lost none of its original sonic quality.  The audio is so deep and strong and the mid section instrumental is a prime example of that.  There is such depth to the music and each note is so 'clean' and precise.  As Ozzy bursts back in the audio cannot be faulted and I am pleased to say the remainder is of the same 'high end' standard.  The classic end section is absolutely stunning with a clarity, definition and power that is just so impressive.  The long fade out has no 'background' and this is easily a Mint- start to the side.
'Tomorrow's Dream' plays with a clarity and depth you rarely find today.  There is quite simply no intrusion on the audio - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound which you often get from groove wear due to a heavily played record.  In other words this is obviously a vinyl that has not been on a turntable that much!  The audio quality is phenomenal and Mint is well deserved.
For once 'Changes' plays with stunning clarity throughout.  As any audiophile knows this quiet track is often affected by a fair amount of static/distortion and yet the playback here is so incredibly clean.  I only detected an almost imperceptible amount of light static but I only mention that to be 'complete' in my grading.  It is so quiet, barely audible and in no way is it intrusive.  Even on Ozzy's higher register the audio is not affected and this is without doubt the 'cleanest' version I have heard in many a year.  A STUNNING Mint- in my opinion.  Beautiful!
'FX' is of course even quieter but again the clarity is outstanding!  There is just one light tick but there are clicks or pops and only a minimal touch of mega light static.  I could be doing myself a disservice by even mentioning as arguably you could this is just the stylus running over the grooves.  Nevertheless I will grade as Near Mint just to be a little caution.
The percussive intro on 'Supernaut' is 'as new' and Iommi's intro is equally as good.  Osborne's first vocal has no 'background' and already I am struck by the total lack of distortion here.  This final track is often beset by inner groove distortion issues but the playback here is so 'clean' and it continues in the same exact way.  The mid instrumental section is faultless and Ward's long percussive section performs to the highest standard.  The final verse/section also plays with sublime quality and again there is 'background' on the fade out.  It's not often I can grade this track as Mint- but I can here!
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'Snowblind' plays with genuine quality from the get go and the intro is 'as new' without question.  The first verse is of the same standard and again the clarity is on another level.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and you would be more than happy if you had just purchased this 'new' from a record store today!  Every section plays with impeccable quality and Iommi's closing section is a case in point.  No distortion, just pure Mint audio which is how the entire track grades.

The deep menacing intro on 'Cornucopia' is flawless and this quality is maintained as you progress into the track.  There is no need to prevaricate here - this is Mint from start to finish.

The instrumental 'Laguna Sunrise' plays beautifully with a clarity that is second to none.  I played it twice and I only detected a handful of barely audible dust ticks.  I will grade as Mint- just to be a little cautious.  What a version!

'St. Vitus Dance' again delivers on every level and has no 'background' from start to finish.  Playing with the trademark deep Sabbath sound the clarity and depth is 'as new' and...Mint is again deserved.

The classic 'Under The Sun' plays with imperious quality throughout.  For a final track the clarity is so impressive and there is no inner groove distortion whatsoever.  This is as strong a finish that you could wish for with stunning power and definition and not one iota of interference.  The end section is STUNNING and this track is Mint of that I have no doubt.

In summary this first pressing plays to a an amazing standard the likes of which are rarely found today.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE version that has a sonic quality that cannot be faulted.  The clarity and definition of the audio is phenomenal and with only one track graded as Near Mint (maybe that was harsh!) the audio is 'high end' for sure.  It has only been lightly played and as stated the vinyl is visually stunning.  So often 'Changes' and 'FX' can let the side down but they both play with stunning quality I am delighted to say and rarely there is no inner groove distortion on the final tracks.  What an album!

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and is definitely one of the cleaner ones you will find today.  The edges have only minimal rubbing and the wide spine is also very clean and remains 100% legible with only a small number of 'specks' and a little wear on the corners.  The other corners are also in excellent order with only minimal wear and the opening edge is close to perfect.  As the cover is not laminated it is often seen with a fair amount of fading/mottling around the edges but this front cover is very clean with only the bare minimum of white 'speckling' around the edges and there are no marks to be seen.  The back cover has just a little more around the edges but again so much less than you generally see.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and the inner booklet remains firmly attached.

The first pressings were either issued with a swirl inner or a 'Plastic Bags...' inner and this one has the former which is good news.  Always preferable in my opinion!  It has no side splits and only minimal creasing and age related fading.  It has the date code 0970 so may well be a leftover from one of the their earlier albums.

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 9   PORKY

6360071 2Y // 1   1 2 1 1   PECKO

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

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