Sheer Heart Attack 1st Press 3U/4U

This has only ever had one careful owner!  This was only ever played a handful of times and as the previous owner informed me was always very carefully handled and looked after.  Indeed this first pressing plays with immaculate audio and includes a very impressive cover and lyric inner.

As can be seen it is one of the earliest first pressings also as denoted by the stampers.  S1 was produced with the 12th stamper and S2 with the 20th.

EMC 3061 // YAX 4881 - 3U / YAX 4882 - 4U // GR 1 / GD 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

Visual grading

This stunning vinyl has only a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines and no scratches.  It still has an impressive glossy sheen and the run out grooves are also incredibly clean.  A fantastic looking first press.

Play grading  

'Brighton Rock' plays with stunning Mint- audio from start to finish.  The depth and power is incredible and of course the bass is so strong here.  Even during the 'quieter' solo I only heard a couple of mega light dust ticks.  This is an immaculate start to this first pressing.  'Killer Queen' is also of the same standard with no interference whatsoever.  I am quite simply blown away by the clarity on offer here.  Thus far the album is playing 'as new'.  There is no let up with either 'Tenement Funster' or 'Flick Of The Wrist' both of which display audio of the highest calibre.  Not one click or pop and certainly no static or crackle.  Just 100% mind-blowing pure audio heaven!  If there was to any 'background' you would  expect it to be on the quiet 'Lily Of The Valley'.  I am delighted to say it has audio of Mint- quality yet again and I am only adding the minus because the album isn't sealed.  I don't imagine many first pressings are!  On this track I heard only a couple of mega faint dust ticks and again the clarity and definition of the sound is absolutely stunning.  And once more the fade out has no interference at all.  'Now I'm Here' ends S1 with great power and only a little distortion.  As any Queen fan knows distortion is always found on this track but due to how little this vinyl has been played it has been kept to a minimum.  The fade out by the way plays perfectly, another example of the superb clarity on this side.

The intro on 'In The Lap Of The Gods' is sublime and plays with impeccable quality.  With one light crackle sound only this opening track again plays with a brilliance that you rarely hear on a 3U/4U pressing.  Without wishing to sound repetitive the clarity throughout is stunning.  'Stone Cold Crazy' is superb from the very first groove.  No interference and it 'rocks out' superbly with a great bass sound from beginning to end.  'Dear Friends' has only a couple of minor 'ticks' on the intro and then plays with perfect precision.  Stunning for such a quiet track.  'Misfire' plays with Mint audio and 'Bring Back Leroy Brown' is not far off that with only one faint 'tick' towards the end.  'She Makes Me...' again plays with astonishing depth and warmth and again plays 'as new'.  'In The Lap Of The Gods...revisited' ends this classic album with superlative sound once more and only a little distortion on the end section.  A stunning finale nonetheless.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive copy I am selling.  When you find an early pressing that has been only lightly played and well taken care of the definition and sonic quality of the recording is so obvious.  You hear each note perfectly and the separation of all the instruments is tangible i.e. there is no muddiness to the sound whatsoever.  The clarity across both sides is 'high end' and 99% of this album plays 'as new'.  Superb! 

The Cover

The laminated cover is in lovely condition with very little shelf wear.  The edges and thin pinched spine are beautifully clean with no rubbing and only the two bottom corners have a minimal amount of wear.  The opening edge has no obvious handling wear at all.  The laminate is in superb shape with no splits or lifting and there are only a small number of very faint creases around the edges that you always find.  The front and back cover are extremely clean and have only light ringwear.  A great example of this iconic cover.

The Lyric inner

This has the four cropped corners as per the first pressings.  There are no splits on the sides which is rare today when you think it is made of paper.  There are a couple of faint marks but overall this is a fine example and is certainly one of the 'cleanest' I have seen in a long while.

The labels

The original EMI labels are in superb condition and look 'as new' with no marking/writing and not very much spindle wear.

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 // GR 1 / GD 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY EXTRA INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

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 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

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!!

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