Abbey Road 2/1 (1st Stereo Press)

This first pressing plays with a quality that is so rarely found today.  The clarity and sonic quality is stunning and this is without question one of the most beautiful examples that I have ever seen or heard.

The laminated 'misaligned' cover is also in superb condition with only very minor shelf wear.  Of course being a genuine first pressing it has no 'Her Majesty' credit on the S2 label.

PCS 7088 // YEX 749 - 2 / YEX 750 - 1 // MLT 1 / ALR 10

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 2 Near Mint+ / track 6 Near Mint but Mint- for the majority!)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 8 intro Ex+) 

The cover is Ex++

The inner sleeve is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

  This vinyl is visually stunning and still has a pristine mirror-like glossy sheen.  At first glance it appears 'as new'!  It is only on closer inspection that you can detect (with difficulty!) 3/4 very faint hairlines.  There are no scratches or marks and it really is a superb example.  There is not very much spindle wear on S1 and barely any on S2 so has not been played too much and that is borne out by the depth and clarity of the audio.  The labels and runs out grooves are super clean with no markings at all.

Play grading

This has hardly been played judging by the start!  The intro on 'Come Together' plays with sublime clarity and there is no 'background' of any kind, not even a dust tick.  This pristine quality is prevalent throughout I can't quite believe what I am hearing!  There are a number of quiet sections and yet the clarity on all of them could not be bettered.  Of course the bass is so high in the mix on this track and nowhere is it more obvious than here, the definition of the audio is 'high end' to say the least.  It's rare for this opening track to play so well and this cannot be faulted.  So as to adhere to Record Collector standards I will grade as Mint- but I know perfect audio when I hear it!

'Something' has only a couple of light 'ticks' on the intro but in no way are they intrusive.  From then on it plays with a depth and warmth that is second to none.  There is no interference and each note can be heard with such precision, there is no 'muddiness' to the sound.  A stunning version without doubt and is Near Mint+ a grading I have not used before :-)

'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' is equal to this standard with only a couple of mega light dust ticks and 'Oh Darling' is also of the same immaculate quality.  There is no distortion on the top end and this is another Mint- track.  The sonic quality is of a vinyl barely played all and this would impress even the most avid of collectors.  The playback thus far on this side is absolutely stunning!

And yes the quirky 'Octopus's Garden' is of the same quality!  There are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle.  This is 'as new' basically.  Even the guitar solo has no distortion.

'I Want You' has only a minimal hint of distortion on the intro, as is so often the case, and just one light 'tick'.  As the vocal begins the playback is stunning and the depth and strong bass is so obvious.  There is two seconds of light static after the first 'She's so heavy' section and from then on the clarity is nigh on perfect.  As the volume builds there is no distortion and the depth and power on this section is incredible and there is no interference at all.  As it reaches a crescendo...well I do not think I have heard it better.  It is so powerful and the definition of the audio could not be any better and this on a genuine first pressing!  Wow x 2!!  This final section is unquestionably Mint although as a whole the track should perhaps be graded as Near Mint due to the intro which is still superb I hasten to add!

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The quiet acoustic intro on 'Here Comes The Sun' is breathtaking!  With a couple of barely audible dust ticks only audio does not get any better than this!  An the more you progress the more you are impressed by it.  There is no 'background' and every note of this classic melody plays with sparkling precision.  What a version, Mint- without doubt.

'Because' has only a couple of dust ticks on the intro and then plays with stunning clarity.  The harmonies are so clean and 'fresh' and the only other 'background' are a couple of other dust ticks and one static click right at the end.  A fantastic version that easily grades as Near Mint.

'You Never Give Me Your Money' has only mega light static on the intro and soon plays as it did when first released back in '69!  As the tempo and volume picks up there is no decrease in quality and is practically 'as new'.  There is just a hint of distortion on the top end but that is perhaps being too critical! 

The quiet intro on 'Sun King' is superb!  With barely any static I have rarely heard better, the playback is so 'clean'.  As the vocals come in this clarity remains with only a couple of inconsequential dust ticks.  To the very end it plays with sublime quality and not a single click or pop.  This is as close to perfect as you will find.

The following 'trio' of songs starting with 'Mean Mr Mustard' all play with impeccable quality and, you won't be surprised to hear, there is no interference.  There is no distortion just pure Mint- quality.  Again I cannot adequately describe how incredibly good the audio is here, I'm running out of superlatives as always!  Both '...Pam' and '...Bathroom Window' play with stunning Mint- precision!

The classic 'Golden Slumbers' has only light static on the intro that lasts only 5/6 seconds and the chorus then plays with faultless precision.  The remainder is near perfect with only a handful of mega light dust ticks, there is no 'interference'.

 'Carry That Weight' is another prime example of a vinyl that has been so well preserved and barely played.  As is always the case there is a minor amount of inner groove distortion but in no way is it intrusive.  The instrumental section beginning with Starr's drums is so powerful and Harrison's solo is spectacular with no distortion at all, it is 'as new'.

'The End' has no interference and only minimal distortion on the instrumental end section.  'Her Majesty' closes the album with fantastic clarity and again 'background'.  Stunning.  The silent section between the two has next to no static and all you can hear is the needle running through the grooves.

In summary this is one of the most impressive 2/1 first 'misaligned' pressings I have had the pleasure in listening to.  The majority of this album is 'as new' and whenever there is any 'background' it is so minor as to be insignificant.  You would never know this was 50 years old this year, the clarity and depth of the audio is exceptional.  Not one obvious click or pop and barely any static!  Any die-hard Beatles' fan would be delighted to have this in their collection.  Not only that but the laminated cover is also in lovely condition with no real wear.

The Cover

This G & L laminated cover is in lovely condition and has the 'misaligned apple' on the back cover.  The edges and thin pinched spine have no rubbing/marking and there is hardly any corner wear also.  The opening edge has only a very small amount of handling wear.  The front cover has no marking and only three small laminate creases plus a few minor creases around the edges as is customary.  The back cover is also in superb order with only one very small area of laminate lift top right and again a small number of minor crease lines next to the spine.  There is just a little ringwear on both sides but again this is commonplace.  This is a superb example of this iconic cover and, as per the vinyl, has been so well preserved down the years.  It would be difficult to find better!

Inner Sleeve

Contrary to popular opinion this album did not always come with a black inner, plain white inners were used also.  This die-cut inner is in great condition with no splits or marking and hardly any creasing.  It has 'Patent No 1125555' and 'Made in Great Britain' printed on one side.

The Labels

They are both in beautiful condition with no writing or marking and only a little spindle wear.

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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