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The Rolling Stones : Beggars Banquet 4A / 2A 1st Press Mono Unboxed Decca

This first mono pressing plays with stunning quality and the clarity of sound is so much better than other versions I have heard.  The 'thin' sound so often associated with this pressing is not as prevalent here and the final tracks on each side play with very impressive audio...for once!  The rest of the album is superb!  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static you really cannot fault the sonic quality on offer here and may well the finest example of a mono pressing that I have ever listened to.  Not surprisingly the vinyl is visually in superb condition and has clearly been so well cared for down the years.

The iconic G & L laminated cover has also been so well preserved and as can be seen the often battered wide spine is in lovely condition!  The original inner sleeve is also in excellent order.

The matrix 4A/2A is one of the earliest first press variations and the labels are the Version 2 variety.

LK 4955 // XARL-8476-4A / XARL-8477-2A // UC 1 / U 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint)

The 'mono' gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

 The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with no 'bag rash' and no scratches.  Under a strong light I can only detect a small number of faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out.  No marks or blemishes at all.  You can easily read the JT tax stamp on the run out grooves and the unboxed red Decca labels are unmarked aside from a little spindle wear on S1 and just a bit more on S2.

Play grading

The percussive intro on 'Sympathy For The Devil' is 'as new' and Jagger's opening vocal is of the same high end standard.  100% perfect clarity so far!  It continues in the same way with no intrusion on the audio, the playback is incredible!  It has that full, rich and deep mono sound and unmistakable raw Stones power.  Each note is so crisp and clean and nowhere is this more obvious than during Richards' solos which so often have some distortion on the top end.  Not here!  This may well be the finest example I have ever heard the sonic quality could not be any more impressive.  There are 3/4 ticks on the fade out but this easily deserves a Mint- grading.

The acoustic intro on 'No Expectations' plays without fault and the first two verses have no intrusion either - just one barely audible tick on the second.  From then on it plays with exceptional clarity and warmth and as you would expect on such a clean vinyl there are no clicks, pops or static.  So close to Mint I will grade as Mint- just to be a little cautious :-)

'Dear Doctor' again plays with superb quality from the first note to the last with no intrusion.  You will often find some static distortion on the vocal here but that is not in evidence here.  A super clean version that is Mint in every way.

The mono pressings are renown for inner groove distortion / a thin sound as you approach the end of each side but I am pleased to say 'Parachute Woman' plays very clearly with no obvious intrusion.  I play my records through my stereo set up so I am sure it will play even better when played as a 'mono' record.  It still plays exceptionally well with only a couple of light ticks at the end of the fade out.  Mint-

The intro on 'Jig-Saw Puzzle' has no interference and the first vocal is equally as strong.  It's only at the halfway point where you would say the 'thin sound' is a little more obvious.  However, in saying that this mono version is quite possibly the cleanest I have ever listened and has very little of the distortion than you so often find.  You generally have to turn it down but you do not have to here!  The end instrumental is a prime example of that - you can hear each note perfectly and the long fade out is perfect.  In a way I shouldn't downgrade it as there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static but I will say Near Mint just to be on the safe side again!

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The classic 'Street Fighting Man' plays with superb audio from the word and Jagger's first vocal has lost none of its 'edge'.  It continues to play with sublime quality - it is such a powerful version - the vocals are so strong but the instrumentation is just stunning!  No distortion on the top end and Mint is very much deserved.

The acoustic intro on 'Prodigal Son' is flawless as is the opening vocal and from then on it plays with wonderful precision and... no interference.  You know you're onto a winner when you hear things you have never noticed before i.e. the heavy percussion in the background.  The clarity is so impressive, a real foot tapper, and the sonic quality is just fantastic!  Mint

The intro on 'Stray Cat Blues' is 'as new' and the opening vocal does not disappoint either.  Perfect!  A powerful track and yet the 'sound' is very clean - the first high octane chorus could not play any better and if I'm honest there is none of that 'thin' sound the further you get into the track.  Then end instrumental is phenomenally good and the fade out has no background either.  A Mint- track at the very least.

The acoustic intro on 'Factory Girl' plays to perfection and that applies to the entire track.  Once again the clarity of sound is outstanding and there is nothing to detract from the audio.  Mint

Another acoustic intro on 'Salt Of The Earth' and another intro with no background!  The first two verses are faultless and it's really only around the halfway mark that the audio has that 'thin' sound so often prevalent on this track.  Seriously there is no escaping it!  It's down to the quality of vinyl used / mastering but it still plays very well with no interference.  A change of the bass / treble levels certainly helps and as mentioned earlier when played as mono I am sure the sonic quality will improve.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static!  The final instrumental plays with tremendous power and overall I think Near Mint is a fair assessment of the audio.

In summary this very collectable mono LP plays to a superb standard and may well be the finest example I have heard.  I say that because one, there is no interference and two, because there is a lot less of 'thin' sound at the end of each side compared to the many other mono pressings I have heard.  I purchased this along with the two other Stones records I am selling and it is clear the previous owner looked after them very carefully and I am sure only played them on high end equipment.  It is rare to find this classic album with not one tick let alone no clicks or pops and like I say the clarity is STUNNING across both sides.  In conjunction with a very clean cover this will add to any collection.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

This laminated G & L mono cover is one of the best you will find today and for once the spine is in great shape!  The edges are so clean and yes the spine is still very wide although a little 'angled' and remains 100% legible with no marking.  All of the corners are also in superb condition with barely any wear.  The opening edge is extremely clean and only the right hand edge of the front cover has a minimal amount of handling wear.  The front cover itself is stunning with only a couple of tiny 'spots' and there is no laminate damage / creasing at all.  Just a small number of tiny indents no doubt caused by a Sticky Fingers zip!  The back cover if anything is even better and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate.  A superb example of this iconic cover and Ex+ is well deserved.

The original poly-lined inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears, minimal creasing and only a handful of very small 'spots'.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

LK 4955 // XARL-8476-4A / XARL-8477-2A // UC 1 / U 1

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

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.

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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!!

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