A Hard Day's Night (3N/3N)

This final upgrade first pressing has audio quality that is so rarely found.  There is quite simply no interference of any kind, just some of the usual inner groove distortion as you approach the end of S1.  The clarity and depth of the recording is immaculate.  It has only been played a little as there is minimal spindle wear also.

The laminated 'Patents pending' cover is also in great condition with very little clear and back cover is extremely clean.

Mono 3N/3N first pressing on Yellow/Black label.  'The Parlophone Co. Ltd' etc printed around the perimeter edge.  'Recording first published 1964' and 'Sold in U.K. subject to resale price conditions' plus the third label variation.  The KT tax code is stamped on the S1 label.  Mid-sized 'Mono' on front of G&L cover.

PMC 1230 // XEX 481 - 3N / XEX 482 - 3N // AHM 7 / AMD 2

The audio on S1 is Mint- (tracks 6 & 7 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is a very strong Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Mint-

 Visual grading

  This is a visually stunning vinyl and is a sublime example for a first pressing.  It shines with a pristine mirror-like glossy and has only a small number of faint hairlines.  A couple are a little more obvious on S2 but you would be hard pressed to a better looking vinyl.  There are no scratches or marks and only a minimal amount of spindle wear.  The labels and run out grooves are also supremely clean.  Wow!

Play grading

'A Hard Days Night' plays with incredible clarity from the very first groove.  Harrison's first iconic chord has no distortion and that is such a rarity on a first pressing.  From that point on the depth and clarity is second to none and grades as Mint- it is stunning!  The guitar fade out also plays perfectly.

With complete silence in the dead wax 'I Should Have Known Better' then performs to the same immaculate standard.  As stated the vinyl is visually in beautiful condition so you just hope it will play as good as it looks and so far it is delivering and then some!  There is no interference here, not even a dust tick.

'If I Fell' is equal to the task and the clarity is again of a 'high end' standard.  This is all the more impressive when you consider it is one of the quieter tracks.  There is not even a hint of static let alone anything more.  Mint- once more but the minus doesn't deserve to be there really!

'I'm Happy Just To Dance With You' plays with superb precision and there is no distortion on the top end whatsoever.  It is an exceptional listen.  You know the grade :-)

What follows is the 'cleanest' version of 'And I Love Her' I have ever heard on a genuine first press.  It plays with such delicate audio and remember this is a mono record being played through a stereo system.  There is no 'background' just pure Mint audio from start to finish.

'Tell Me Why' is the first instance on the side where there is some distortion.  This is to be expected of course as we approach the end, inner groove distortion is a common feature on any record.  In saying that it is only minor and does not interfere with the listen.  Needless to say there are no clicks or pops etc.

'Can't Buy Me Love' if anything has less distortion on the intro and plays with great clarity.  There is a little more distortion as you continue but this is to be expected.  It ends the side in impressive fashion and...with no interference.

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'Any Time At All' plays with faultless precision from the first note to the last.  You could wish for greater clarity and definition.  A perfect start to the side.

'I'll Cry Instead' and 'Things We Said Today' both play with Mint quality.  In all honesty I am running out of things to say here!  I cannot overstate the stunning clarity on offer - this is a vinyl that has hardly been played and that is confirmed by the minimal amount of spindle wear.  The intros and fade outs play perfectly and the music in between is 'as new'!  

'When I Get Home' is of the same standard and has no distortion on the top end.  Stunning power and depth from start to finish.

'You Can't Do That' is almost equal to what has gone before but there is perhaps just a little inner groove distortion.  It has to be said though that it is only minor and totally non-intrusive.  The playback is still very clean and there are no clicks, pops, static or crackle.  Still a superb version.

'I'll Be Back' ends the album in fantastic style with very little distortion and no other 'background'.  What a side and what an album!

In summary this is a FINAL UPGRADE first mono pressing there is no doubt about that.  I have never heard such clarity and sonic quality and you would think it was only purchased yesterday and not 54 years ago!  It is a beautifully clean vinyl but still for an album of this age to have NO clicks or pops and NO static or crackle and NO dust ticks is incredibly rare!  There is more or less complete silence between every track providing another example of how well this record has been preserved.  Not only that but the original flipback cover is also in fantastic condition with hardly any wear.

The Cover

The G & L 'Patents pending' laminated cover is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear.  The top edge and spine have no rubbing and the bottom edge just has a small amount of wear next to the opening edge.  This is the only corner with any wear really, the other are in superb shape.  The opening edge itself does have a little handling wear.  The front cover has no laminate splits/lifts and no marking either, it is very clean.  The back cover can hardly be faulted - the flipbacks are super clean with none of the staining that you so often see and the white background is also in sublime condition with marking etc.  Rarely have I seen better.  A fine example.

Inner Sleeve

The plain white die-cut inner has no splits or tears just some light creasing.  It has 'Patents applied for' and Made in Great Britain' printed on one side.oly-lined Emitex sleeve is in great order with no splits or tears and only light creasing.

The Labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels are among the cleanest you will find.  There is hardly any spindle wear and have no marking or writing on either.  The KT tax stamp can be seen on the S1 label.

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

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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