The Beatles : Help! 2/2 2nd Mono Press 1965

This very early mono pressing plays to a superb standard with a clarity that is AMAZING!  It has to be the cleanest version I have ever had the pleasure in listening to with a sonic quality that delivers on so many levels.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is stunning and it is so obvious this record (and cover) has been so well looked after down the years.  The vinyl is visually is superb condition with just some faint hairlines and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE pressing in my opinion.

The cover is in fantastic condition with only a little wear on the opening edge, the rest is stunning!  The Emitex inner is also in excellent condition.

This is generally known as a second pressing despite it having the same 2/2 matrix as a first pressing.  The only 'real' difference is there is a space between 'I Need You' and the * credit indicator.  Regardless of that it is a very early pressing and so rarely found in this condition!

PMC 1255 // XEX 549 - 2 / XEX 550 - 2 // GRG 6 / GAO 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Near Mint / T5, T6 & T7 Near Mint)  

The cover is easily Ex+

The labels are Ex+

The Emitex inner is Ex

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  There are some very faint sleeve removal hairlines but they are superficial as they have no affect on the audio whatsoever.  There is some spindle wear but in a sense this just shows how carefully it has been looked after down the years.  Played a number of times but only on 'high end' equipment which has helped it retain its original sonic quality.  The run out grooves are very clean as are the labels which only have some spindle wear as stated.  The KT tax code can be seen on the S2 label.  A stunning example.

Play grading  

The title track 'Help!' plays with stunning clarity from start to finish with no intrusion at all.  In fact I cannot emphasise enough just how fantastic the audio is here!  There is real warmth and depth to the music and S1 could not begin any better.  Not even the fade out has any 'background'.  This is Mint a minus is not required here!

I am pleased to say 'The Night Before' is of the same 'high end' standard and again there is no interference.  The clarity and definition of the audio is outstanding with no 'muddiness' to the sound.  Another Mint track.

'You've Got To Hide Your Love Away' is unbelievable!  I do not wish to be repetitive but early Beatles records were generally played to death and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find sonic quality such as this.  If anything the clarity here is even more impressive and Mint is again no exaggeration.

'I Need You' plays with impeccable precision with only a couple of barely audible static ticks, they don't even deserve a mention if I'm honest!  This really is audio of the highest calibre.  Mint

'Another Girl' provides more evidence (if it was needed) of a vinyl so well preserved down the years.  The clarity and depth of the audio cannot be faulted - another sublime Mint version.

'You're Going To Lose That Girl' plays so clearly with only the bare minimum of inner groove distortion.  It is so minimal and totally insignificant in my opinion.  Perhaps just a little more towards the end but there are no ticks, clicks or pops and Near Mint is still very much deserved.

For a final track 'Ticket To Ride' plays incredibly well as by this stage there is generally a fair amount of distortion.  Not here!  The clarity is so impressive and I do think this is the finest version I have ever heard on such an early second press.  A Near Mint end to the side and wow what a side!

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The lead in on S2 has four clicks caused by a very faint hairline scratch but the actual intro on 'Act Naturally' plays very clearly with only 2/3 light ticks that are very much in the background and totally non-intrusive.  It then plays as per S1 with a sonic quality that can only be described 'as new'.  The playback is STUNNING and if the intro is Near Mint then the remainder is Mint or sure.

By now I'm expecting perfect clarity (!) and 'It's Only Love' delivers on every level with sublime clarity and depth from the first groove to the last.  With not so much as a dust tick this is Mint in every way.

'You Like Me Too Much' plays beautifully with no interference.  From the piano intro to the final note it could not play with any greater precision.  Mint

'Tell Me What You See' plays to the same 'high end' standard with NO interference.  The 'louder' 'Tell me what you see' vocals have no distortion and this is another track that is immaculate in every way.  Mint

The acoustic intro on 'I've Just Seen A Face' plays with perfect clarity and from then on there is just a minor hint of static distortion on the vocal.  This is so minimal and in my opinion does not intrude on the 'listening experience'.  As I often say this could be improved by playing it as a mono record and not through a stereo system as I am.  Each note is still so clear and precise and Near Mint is still deserved.

The gentle intro on 'Yesterday' has no 'background' and it then plays very clearly with only one barely audible light tick and minimal distortion on the vocal every now and then.  Believe when I say this vocal distortion is very minimal!  There is no background static, no clicks or pops, and an example of the clarity is on the 'how I long for Yesterday' line in the middle section where the echo affect comes through so clearly.  A beautiful version and Near Mint is an honest reflection of the audio.

The high octane 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy' plays with dynamic power throughout and has to be the strongest version I have ever heard.  There is no obvious distortion and the clarity and depth of the audio is so impressive to say the least.  A Near Mint finish to this stunning album.

In summary this very early second pressing plays to a fantastic standard with a clarity the likes of which I don't believe I have heard before.  I think this vinyl must have been kept in a pvc sleeve inside an airtight cupboard!  There is literally no 'muddiness' to the sound and the vast majority is 'as new' no word of a lie.  The only 'background' are the 2/3 light ticks on the S1 intro and just a very minimal amount of vocal distortion on a couple of tracks which as mentioned could perhaps be eradicated anyway.  In my opinion this is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic as it would be nigh on impossible to improve upon this audio and I am sure any die-hard collector would be as impressed as I am.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

I hope the photos do it justice because the Patents Pending G&L cover is in superb condition with barely any wear and it very much retains its original shape and structure as if it has hardly been handled.  The edges and spine are in great condition with no wear and the corners are so clean with barely any wear either.  The opening edge has a little handling wear but to be honest this is the only 'real' wear on the cover!  The laminated front cover is beautifully clean with no laminate damage or creasing just one very small faint spot to the left of John.  The back cover is just as impressive when you consider how 'white' it is and has no marking really and just a very minor hint of wear by the opening edge.  So light the photos probably won't pick it up!  The flipbacks are in fantastic shape and are still firmly attached to the cover with none of the usual staining that you so often see on the edges.  This cover is a stunning example of its kind.

The original poly-lined Emitex inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and just one tiny tear on the central 'window'.  There is barely any marking and only a little creasing in a couple of corners.

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 1255 // XEX 549 - 2 / XEX 550 - 2 // GRG 6 / GAO 4

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Postage & Packaging

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