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

This first 'Loud Cut' pressing on the yellow Parlophone label plays to a incredible standard and almost 'as new' sums it up perfectly.  The clarity and depth of the audio is stunning and there is only minimal static on 'Michelle' and a couple of gentle clicks on one of the fade outs on S2.  I cannot emphasise enough just how clean and precise the audio is.  It is not visually the most impressive I have ever seen but there is certainly no doubting the sonic quality.  60s vinyl was built to last!

The 'Patents pending' cover is in superb condition with only very minimal wear.  The front cover is in great shape and the non-laminated back cover is stunning and rarely seen as clean as this.  Hopefully the photos do it justice!  The Emitex inner is also in excellent condition.

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.  According to the Beatles-collection site almost all of these pressings have a 1/4 or 4/1 matrix but this particular version still has the 1/1 matrix.  So this is potentially a rarer version and hopefully more collectable!

PMC 1267 // XEX 579 - 1 / XEX 580 - 1 // PP 3 / LH 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T7 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T6 Near Mint)

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The Emitex inner is Ex+

As stated the vinyl is not visually in perfect condition and this definitely a case of 60s vinyl being very durable which is well known of course anyway.  It still has a glossy sheen but there are some hairlines and a few light marks on each side but these are purely superficial as they have no affect on the stunning audio quality.  There are no scratches, no groove wear and not very much spindle wear so it has not been over-played.  The matrix info can clearly be seen on the run out grooves and the labels are very clean with no marking or writing.  The KT tax code is on the S2 label.

Play grading  

The very familiar intro on 'Drive My Car' has only a hint of light static and as the vocal comes in the audio is faultless.  The clarity could not be any more impressive with no 'background' of any kind.  The remainder is equally as good and even the fade out has no 'background'.  This is a sensational start to this collectable album and Mint- is an easy grade to give.

A couple of static clicks in the dead wax but then the acoustic intro on 'Norwegian Wood' plays with perfect clarity and it continues to play so well and with no intrusion.  From beginning to end there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and again this deserves a Mint- grade.  The clarity is exceptional.

'You Won't See Me' is of the same 'high end' standard with no sign of any interference.  There is not even a single dust tick let alone anything more intrusive.  This is audio of the highest order and Mint is deserved, it does not warrant a minus!  This album has just turned 56 and so far it really is playing with STUNNING sonic quality.  Every fade out so far has no 'background' either which gives you an idea of the clarity on offer here.

'Nowhere Man' in my opinion is the first track where you really notice the so called 'aggressive' vocal and 'muddy' bass.  The sound issues are a little more obvious on this track and you can see why production was stopped.  In saying that it still plays with genuine quality with just one very light tick on the opening vocal.  Mint-

'Think For Yourself' also plays with sublime quality from the first note to the last.  This is clearly a record that has been so well preserved down the years.  A 'louder' track and yet there is no distortion.  Mint

The intro on 'The Word' has no 'background' and it continues to play with outstanding clarity and power.  I cannot quite believe there is no inner groove distortion as it is the penultimate track and yet the playback is so clear and precise for a more up tempo number.  The 'high octane' harmonica section near the end is a prime example of that quality.  A superlative Mint- version.

As any collector will know 'Michelle' is often affected by a fair amount of static/distortion but this is a very impressive version.  There is only a minimal amount of background static and it still plays very clearly indeed, a lot better than most.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and Ex+ is an honest appraisal of the audio.

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The intro on 'What Goes On' has only a minimal touch of barely audible static and it then plays 'as new' with no interference.  A Mint- version.

'Girl' plays beautifully for a quieter track with no background (or foreground!) static to be heard.  The clarity is out of this world with not even a dust tick and Mint is easily deserved.  Wow!

'I'm Looking Through You' plays with a clarity of sound that cannot be faulted either.  No distortion, no interference just Mint audio all the way.

It may sound like I'm repeating myself now but 'In My Life' plays with the same clarity and resonance as all the other tracks.  I just cannot put into words just how unbelievable the sonic quality is!  It is so rare to find a 'Loud Cut' like this .  Another immaculate Mint version.

'Wait' has that 'aggressive' vocal sound but there is no denying the quality.  No interference...you know the grade.... :-)

There is just a hint of mega light static distortion on the 'If I Needed Someone' intro but it hardly warrants a mention if I'm honest.  From then on it plays with great quality and with no interference apart from a couple of dull quiet clicks on the fade out.  There is no inner groove distortion and Near Mint is fair.

The final track 'Run For Your Life' plays with tremendous clarity, power and depth throughout which makes a change as it is so often affected by distortion etc.  This has to be one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard and to think it is on a 'Loud Cut' press!  There is no obvious distortion and I truly believe Mint- is a true reflection of the audio.

In summary this has to be the finest 'Loud Cut' first pressing I have ever listened to, a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic you could say.  Visually it may not be the best I have seen but the sonic quality on both sides is fantastic!  Obviously the sound issues are well documented but in my opinion it does not affect the listening 'experience' especially when you have a clarity of sound such as this.  There is barely any interference - just a little static during 'Michelle' and a couple of soft clicks at the end of a fade out on S2!  A real highlight though is the lack of distortion, a rarity with this LP and it just goes to show how infrequently it has been played.  A STUNNING album in every way!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated G & L Patents pending cover is in lovely condition and easily the cleanest I have ever found.  It is still very strong and robust and has clearly not been handled very much over the decades.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in superb condition with no wear and only the two right hand corners have a little 'rubbing'.  The opening edge is also very clean with barely any handling wear.  The front cover has only a couple of minor laminate creases and a small crease in the lower right corner and the back cover is really impressive when you consider it isn't laminated.  It is so clean with only one tiny 'blemish' next to the £ Trade Mark and the flipbacks are still very much attached to the cover with no staining on their edges, how rare is that!  A stunning example and you won't find many as good as this!

The original poly-lined Emitex inner is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only a little creasing and one small faint mark on one side.

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 - 1 // PP 3 / LH 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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