The Beatles : Rubber Soul 1/4 1st Press 'Loud Cut' edition

This one sided Loud Cut first pressing on the yellow Parlophone label plays with excellent standard overall and S1 in particular is very impressive, the Loud Cut side.  S2 does have some 'background' here and there and this is fully detailed in my grading below but the majority still plays very clearly and there are only a couple of light clicks.  The vinyl is visually stunning and is easily one of the cleanest I have seen in a long time.

The Patents pending cover is in excellent condition with only minimal  shelf wear and the Emitex inner has also been preserved very well.

This Loud Cut edition has the second label variation with no space between the song titles and the *credit indicator and a Times New Roman font.  This is known as the Variation B type label on the Beatles-collection site/1 matrix.

PMC 1267 // XEX 579-1 / XEX 580-4 // GGR 2 / RRR 3

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (T2, T4 & T5 Mint- / T7 VG+)

The audio on S2 ranges between VG+ and Near Mint

The cover is Ex

The labels are Ex+

The Emitex inner is Ex

The vinyl has been played a number of times based on the spindle wear but it has obviously been very well cared for down the years as it still retains a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  There are only a small number of very faint hairlines and is probably one of the finest first pressings I have seen.  It can only have been played on 'high end' equipment because there is no groove wear and the run out grooves are also extremely clean, the matrix info can clearly be seen.  The labels have no marking other than the spindle wear as stated and the KT tax code can be seen on the S1 label.

Play grading  

The lead in grooves have a faint 'whoosh' sound once per rotation but the good news is that you barely hear it whilst 'Drive My Car' is playing.  I detected it on 3/4 occasions only but it is so quiet and I hardly noticed it.  The clarity is so impressive and there are no ticks, clicks, pops or background static either.  I believe it deserves a Near Mint grade and even that is perhaps being a little conservative.

The acoustic intro on 'Norwegian Wood' plays beautifully with only a couple of very faint whoosh sounds and from then on plays with stunning clarity.  Again there is no intrusion on the audio and Mint- is very much deserved.

'You Won't See Me' continues this fine form with 'high end' audio.  This is where you first notice the so called aggressive vocal but it does not detract from the sonic quality in my opinion.  There are a couple of light ticks towards the end and perhaps a hint of very minor distortion in a couple of places but hey this is a mono record being played through a stereo set up!  Near Mint

The 'aggressive' vocal intro on 'Nowhere Man' plays perfectly and continues in much the same way.  The 'muddy' bass sound is very distinctive here and but it still plays with great clarity and no intrusion.  Mint-

'Think For Yourself' plays very clearly from the first note to the last with no interference.  A 'louder' track and yet the sonic quality is again very impressive.  Mint-

'The Word' again shows just how well this record has been preserved over the years and plays with great clarity despite it being the penultimate track on the side where you might expect some inner groove distortion.  If there is any it is so minimal and the 'high octane' harmonica section near the end is a prime example of that quality.  A very strong Near Mint version.

As any collector will know 'Michelle' is so often affected by a fair amount of static/distortion but overall the audio here is quite impressive.  There are a small number of light ticks but there are certainly no intrusive loud clicks or pops.  A little static distortion also but it still plays with more clarity than many I have heard.  VG+ is an honest appraisal of the audio.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

'What Goes On' plays with great quality from the get go and there are no ticks or clicks etc to be heard.  The clarity is very impressive throughout with only a very minimal amount of light background static here and there which is totally non-intrusive.  It is very very quiet!  Near Mint-

'Girl' plays very clearly with no interference, not bad for a 56 year old record!  This is a relatively quiet track and has a clarity of sound that you rarely find today.  It is not far off Mint- but I will grade as Near Mint just to be cautious.  Just a hint of barely audible static in a couple of places and a little on the fade out.

'I'm Looking Through You' has a very faint 'whoosh' sound per rotation but again it is so quiet and hardly intrusive in my opinion.  There is also one light click on the first verse and a handful of light ticks in the middle section.  Ex-

The 'whoosh' is a little more obvious during the 'In My Life' intro but is a lot quieter once the vocal begins.  There are a couple of light ticks and again this 'whoosh' sound continues throughout and whilst it is a little louder than the previous track it still plays clearly with no clicks or pops.  I think VG+ is fair here.

'Wait' plays with a greater clarity for sure with only a small number of faint 'whoosh' sounds here and there.  One light click in the middle but Ex- overall.

'If I Needed Someone' plays with very strong audio from the outset with very little intrusion.  No clicks or pops and the clarity and power is very impressive.  Ex+

For a final track 'Run For Your Life' plays with great sonic quality - no distortion and no obvious interference.  A very clean version and Ex+ again sums it up well.

In summary this one sided 'Loud Cut' pressing plays with excellent audio and the majority of S1 is even better than that!  Yes S2 has its issues but it remains an excellent listen overall.  The 'whoosh' is the main issue but it is never loud during the actual music and is only intrusive as such in the dead wax between some of the tracks.  Like I say though the 'Loud Cut' S1 plays with superb audio with only the final track having a little interference.  As stated the vinyl is visually very impressive and the cover has also been preserved very well.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated G & L Patents pending cover is in excellent condition with only very minimal wear.  The edges are very clean with only one very small 'rub' in the centre of each and the spine is near  perfect with only minimal wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have only a little rubbing and the opening edge has only minimal handling wear.  The front cover has only a handful of light laminate creases on the right side as is common plus some small creases around the edges and the back cover is very impressive when you consider it isn't laminated.  There is just one faint mark bottom left and the flipbacks are still very much attached to the cover with very little staining on their edges.  A very strong example overall.

The original poly-lined Emitex inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and only a little creasing.  There is one tiny tear on the top edge and just one very faint mark.

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

PMC 1267 // XEX 579-1 / XEX 580-4 // GGR 2 / RRR 3

International buyers may be subject to customs duty or tax - in the case of the E.U. all purchases will be subject to VAT which eBay will collect at point of sale.

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 NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.00 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!