Sheer Heart Attack

This first pressing plays with immaculate audio and comes complete with a very impressive cover and lyric inner with the four cut corners.

EMC 3061 // YAX 4881 - 3U / YAX 4882 - 4U // ROH 1 / RMP 2

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

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl has an awesome glossy sheen and whilst there are a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines on S1 and what appears to be a little scratch on track four they have no affect on the stunning audio quality.  It is still visually stunning and if anything S2 is even better!  I can only detect one mega faint hairlines and looks 'as new'.  There are only 2/3 wispy spindle lines on each side confirming that the record has only been lightly played and the run out grooves are also extremely clean.  A near pristine looking vinyl.

Play grading  

With no lead in static 'Brighton Rock' then plays with stunning power and depth.  When you find a 'clean' first/early pressing I just love the deep rich bass line you get on this album.  I do think it's one of their best produced records in their catalogue.  This classic opener is just mind-blowing and plays with such a strong sound and the clarity is incredible.  There is no intrusive interference and the quieter mid section is nigh on perfect.  A Mint- start to this album without doubt.  'Killer Queen' maintains this standard and again has no 'background', well just one click in the dead wax after the track has finished if that counts as interference!  'Tenement Funster' has a handful of mega light dust ticks and one click on the intro.  The remainder plays with superb clarity and no other 'background' and again a fabulous deep bass sound.  'Flick Of The Wrist' has Mint- audio again from start to finish.  This track should've been a single and the depth and power it displays here is stunning and no distortion whatsoever.  How vinyls are often judged is how well the quiet tracks play and I am pleased to say 'Lily Of The Valley' plays with incredible clarity and only 2/3 dust ticks but this impresses with Near Mint audio, just a couple of very light clicks on the fade out.  'Now I'm Here' ends with powerful sound and little of the distortion that is so often prevalent on this track.  There is one faint click on the intro but that is the only interference of any note. The fade out has no 'background' at all.

'In The Lap Of The Gods' plays in superb style from Roger's first note!  The clarity here is first class and on a 3U/4U press I don't think I have heard a more impressive version.  Wow!  'Stone Cold Crazy' again is just Mint- with no distortion, no interference just pure unadulterated rock from start to finish.  'Dear Friends' is another highlight and for such a quiet track plays in impeccable style.  There is just no intrusive 'background', a breathtaking version without doubt.  'Misfire' and '...Leroy Brown' and 'She Makes Me' keep up this spectacular standard with no faults.  There is quite simply no interference and they each grade as Mint-, the minus because the album isn't sealed.  As you can see I'm running out of superlatives for the immaculate audio on this side!  Whilst the 'high end' audio is obvious throughout the side 'She Makes Me' in particular is absolutely stunning and again may well be the 'cleanest' I have heard on a first pressing.  The depth and bass sound here is fantastic and even the end section plays perfectly.  'In The Lap Of The Gods...revisited' ends this classic album in fine style with no interference and barely any distortion on the end section which is a genuine rarity.  I don't like to use the 'rare' word too often but this closing track is often plagued by intrusive distortion but here this end section has real precision and clarity and the 'bomb' fade out is 100% perfect. An immaculate end to an immaculate album.

In summary this first press is a final upgrade archive copy without doubt.  There may be a couple of clicks on S1 but that is the only 'background' worthy of mention and clarity and definition of the audio is so 'high end' it is obvious it hasn't been played that much.  The way in which the quieter tracks play is testament to that.  The fact that it includes a lovely cover and lyric inner just adds to the overall 'package'.

Cover

The laminated cover is in superb condition and has hardly any shelf wear.  The edges and thin pinched spine are beautifully clean with no rubbing and only the bottom right corner has a miniscule amount of wear.  The front and back covers are extremely clean and the laminate has no damage, just a few small creases mainly around the spine area which you will always see on a 44 year old cover.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  A superb example of this iconic cover.

Lyric inner

This has the four cropped corners as per the first/early pressings and the first thing you notice is how beautifully clean it is, it has probably hardly ever seen the light of day!  There are no markings/writing/ staining at all.   On closer inspection you can see that it has one tiny split on the left side but it is a clean split and not that noticeable.  The thumb notch has one mega small tear on the edge but again it is barely noticeable and I only mention it to be complete in my grading, many wouldn't!  I still think this lyric inner deserves an Ex+ grading because I do think it remains in lovely condition for its age.  There is no obvious creasing either.  A superb example.

The labels

The original EMI labels are super clean with no marking or writing and only a minimal amount of 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 // ROH 1 / RMP 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 £6.00. 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 (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

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!