Rolling Stones LET IT BLEED UK LP 1st MONO Unboxed NM-

	£		220
	$		292

The Rolling Stones - Let It Bleed

Decca Records: catalogue LK 5025

Matrix Numbers: 9363P - 2A / 9364P - 1A

Stampers: 1 G / 1 UM

One of the hardest Rolling Stones LP's to collect in decent condition, as a first press MONO issue.

Naturally when this was pressed in 1969 Stereo pressings were the ones that sold, but a small amount of Mono issues were pressed to satisfy those that preferred the Mono sound.

It is a real treat to be able to list such a superb example of this LP and in magnificent condition

If you are looking for a spectacular copy of this LP, then look no further.

The Sleeve

Let me start by saying there is one thing missing from the sleeve, and that is the sticker that was originally on the front. Do not worry though that this is a reproduction or reissue. It is a genuine 1st press sleeve.

Laminated front surface, and non laminated rear surface with the Mono/Stereo "Peep Hole" on the back.

The front of the sleeve is in super condition, and you can just make out where the sticker was originally placed as there is a tiny laminate pull where it was, just in one spot only, not where the whole sticker was. This is really small and what I mean by a laminate pull is that the laminate has raised off the surface about the size of a littlefinger nail. The laminated surface otherwise is in top condition. No creasing at all and only the ususal tiny few laminate lines near the spine. The opening edge is sharp and unworn. A very very tiny bit of wear to the top right corner.

The spine is uncrushed and as new.

The rear surface is also unmarked, no pen or any form of man made marking apart from a very slight natural age wear. again nothing to detract from the superb sleeve that this is.

It also includes the original  non poly lined red decca inner sleeve, which for sure is the one that cam with this LP. How can you tell? well the name Let It Bleed is on one side of the inner along with the track listing and musicians for each track. Again a sure sign of a genuine first press copy.

The Rare Poster insert is also included, and is in MINT condition. Again this is a genuine first press insert, and not a later reissue. How do you tell?

The first presses had a thinner poster which is a matt finish, whilst the reissues had a thicker, and more glossy poster.

This poster has never been anywhere than inside the sleeve of this superb LP

The Labels

Simply Superb examples. Unfaded red surface with clear and undamaged silver typeface. The spindle hole is unworn, and  I can only make out 2-3 very faint spider lines. For those in the know, the Red Decca label shows up spider lines more prominently than any other and it is therefore very visible how the LP has been looked after.The fact that this superb LP has only a couple of lines indicates an LP that has had barely 5 or so plays in its 30 years, a fact that is bourne out by the condition of the vinyl (further down)

It also confirms that the LP has been meticulously handled to ensure that the spindle hole was placed directly over the spindle and not placed on like "pin the tail on the donkey"

The Vinyl

Absolutely Stunning!! retains virtually all of it's original shine. it looks superb. Under intense illumination you can make out a few whispy hairlines, but these do not affect the pay at all. one or two slight handling marks are also seen under certain angles

The Sound

The three tests I always run on any LP I list should give the buyer a great insight into the reproduction of the record.

Distortion Test:

Pushing the volume up when playing any LP will tell you a lot about the use the LP has had. For example it will show immediately if the groove has suffered any wear through having been subjected to a worn or damaged stylus, or indeed one that was too heavy and caused wear. many people confuse background noise from scratches, and lines with distortion from groove wear. they are very different, and in my opinion I can put up with the odd bit of crackle or light pop, but the sound of a worn record is unacceptable to me. The loud volume ensures that all this is detected because the vibration of the stylus is more pronounced at higher volumes.

This LP is totally distortion free. It sounds superb and just confirms what I already knew about it, in that it has been owned, and cared for by someone who has only played it a few times, and on decent Hi-Fi equipment. Just what every collector wishes for.

Production Test:

Not so much of a test, but a report on the quality of the recording and the clarity of the sound.

Being A Mono recording it is vital to have a great production to ensure that instruments are detectable and clear. This fine example has the great 60's production that is and was associated with these early stones recordings.Guitar strings that can be heard being plucked and strummed, percussion that hits all the right notes, and a bass line that is driving the music rather than overpowering it.

Unwanted Noise Test:

This concentrates on the noise in the run in groove, the linking groove between the tracks, background crackle, hisses, and pops. I wont mention jumps or sticking as I wouldn't list a record that did either. This is what you can expect to hear on your system, and along with the distortion test form the basis of my overall sound grading.

The run in groove to side one is near silent and is a sure sign of things to come. Each linking groove throughout the Lp is as quiet as the next. There is no background crackle at all throughout the play of this album, and I only counted about 4-5 very light pops throughout the whole play. Indeed a stunning and magnificent example of this classic stones LP, and fully justifies its  NEAR MINT MINUS Status

I have been selling vinyl on Ebay now for 7 years and have built up a good reputation for offering quality vinyl, and in the main this has always been Classic and Prog Rock and Pop from the early 60's through the mid 70's. I would ask that you look at my feedback if in any doubt. I always conduct 3 vital tests on any vinyl that I list, which includes Distortion, Production, and Background Noise. All of which you will find detailed in the listing. I also always offer a full refund if the purchaser is not happy.