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

This highly collectable and increasingly rare Loud Cut record is quite simply stunning and the most impressive of its type that I have ever seen or heard!  The vast majority plays to a Mint- standard and I have only graded one track as Ex+ because of one faint click that could easily be missed!  It is patently obvious this vinyl has not been played that much as the clarity and definition on each track is out of this world!  The vinyl is also visually stunning.

This is known as the first variation of the first pressing as it has the 1/1 matrix.   The labels also have the Sans-Serif type and a gap between the * credits indicator and the song titles. 

The cover is also in wonderful condition with no marking as such just some very minor creasing.  It's so rare to find one as 'clean' as this!  The Emitex inner is also in fantastic shape.

PMC 1267 // XEX 579 - 1 / XEX 580 - 1 // MG 4 / MR 5

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 5 Ex+ / track 7 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint-

The Emitex inner sleeve is Ex+

  This vinyl is visually stunning and retains a jet black glossy sheen the likes of which are rarely seen today.  There are no scratches and hardly any hairlines for that matter.  The only obvious hairline is on S1 and it traverses the final two tracks but in no way does it affect the immaculate quality of the audio.  There is also a lighter hairline on track 1 and a handful of minor 'specks' on track 3 but again these do not affect the audio.  I am just highlighting what I am seeing - S1 still looks fantastic and is hardly ever seen this clean.  S2 though is absolutely immaculate and at first glance it looks 'as new'!  On closer inspection there are only a couple of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  There is not too much spindle wear, a little more on S2, and is a super impressive 'looking' Loud Cut press for certain.  The run out grooves and labels are also in superb condition.

Play grading

'Drive My Car' plays with stunning clarity from the very first note and continues in this way to the end.  The playback is so 'clean' and there is no 'background' of any kind.  This is a sensational start to this rare album and it is obvious the record has not been played too much judging by the clarity and definition on this opening track.  Mint- is an honest appraisal.

The classic 'Norwegian Wood' plays to the same immaculate standard and is where the so called 'muddy' bass sound is first evident in my opinion as per the Loud Cut pressings.  Again there is not one iota of interference and it plays with Mint- precision.  So far the clarity on this side is so impressive!

Three songs in and it's already difficult not repeating myself!  'You Won't See Me' is of a 'high end' standard and plays to perfection with no clicks, pops or crackle and only one mega quiet static tick on the fade out.

The 'aggressive' vocal sound is audible on the 'Nowhere Man' intro but this acapella section has no 'background' at all.  A superb start.  From then on it plays with wonderful separation i.e. each note can be heard with perfect precision.  I cannot believe this record was pressed 54 years ago!

'Think For Yourself' is nigh on perfect although I do think I heard one light click towards the end.  However, it really is 'buried' in the music and not immediately obvious.  Otherwise it plays with stunning clarity....again.

'The Word' is impressive in that as you approach the end of the side you would think there would be some inner groove distortion but there is none.  This is further proof, if it was needed, that the vinyl has not been over-played.  It has retained its original quality and has no groove wear of any kind.  Another Mint- track in my opinion.

'Michelle' is the one track I find that is often affected by some interference on the Loud Cut pressings.  I can safely say this is the 'cleanest' version I have ever heard on a 1/1 Loud Cut vinyl.  The clarity is so good and if I heard any static it's only because I'm so darn close to the speakers.  There is only the absolute lightest of static here and there but in all honesty it is not even worth a mention.  You won't find many better versions on later pressings let alone one that is a rare genuine first press!  It provides a fantastic finish to the side and...no clicks or pops.  I will grade as Near Mint just to be cautious!

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'What Goes On' on S2 plays to a breathtaking standard and whilst the 'muddy bass' is obvious here (it doesn't bother me!) the defintion on this track is still stunning.  There is no interference and Mint- is again deserving.  The harmonies here are so 'clean' and Ringo does a pretty good job!  Another perfect fade out by the way.

What follows is the most impressive 'Girl' I have ever heard!  I have played it twice now and I know Mint audio when I hear it - is a minus even required?!  And to think this is a relatively quiet track.  The clarity cannot be faulted and again each note is so sharply defined and there is not even a dust tick on the fade out.  Wow!

From the very first acoustic note 'I'm Looking Through You' plays with sublime precision and continues in the same manner.  There is no distortion on the 'clang clang' notes on George's guitar which is such a rarity and from start to finish there is no obvious 'background' whatsoever.

'In My Life' is of the same immaculate standard I am pleased to say.  A handful of mega quiet dust ticks perhaps but in no way can this be classed as interference of course.  This is vinyl and this is to be expected.  It still warrants a Mint- grading.

'Wait' plays with superb power and clarity from the get go.  The 'aggressive' vocals are more obvious here but this doesn't affect the quality of the audio in any way.  Once more there is no interference to be heard.

'If I Needed Someone' plays so well for a 'louder' track that is near the end of the album.  You would expect some inner groove distortion again, and especially with a mono record, but there is no obvious distortion here at all.  The playback is so strong and cannot be faulted in any way.

The acoustic intro on 'Run For Your Life' plays with perfect precision and continues in much the same way.  This may be too critical but there is perhaps just a minimal touch of distortion here but yes it is oh so minimal!  In no way is it intrusive and the audio is still mega impressive for this final track and again it is the 'cleanest' I have ever heard on a Loud Cut pressing.

In summary - what a sensational 1/1 Loud Cut album!  This is undoubtedly a FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE press and records as rare as this hardly ever turn up!  With only one faint click across the entire album the clarity and depth of the audio is so impressive and it is no exaggeration to say the vast majority is 'as new' i.e. practically all of it!  At the very least you would expect some light static but there is no obvious static to be heard.  As stated there is not too much spindle wear and this in part explains why the definition of the audio is as good as it is.  Aside from that the record has been so well preserved and that applies to the cover also which remains very 'clean' with no real marking.  A stunning album that would impress any avid Beatles' collector.

The Cover

The laminated G & L Patents pending cover is one of the cleanest I have seen and has no obvious wear to be honest.  The edges and spine have no rubbing or marking of any kind and look 'as new' and the corners have hardly any wear either.  The opening edge has only the bare minimum of handling wear.  The front cover is remarkably clean with only a little laminate creasing near the top edge and a handful of faint creases on Ringo but you do have to look for them!  The laminate itself is in superb order with no lifting or splits.  Of course it's the back cover that is so often marked so hopefully the photos do this one justice!  It is so clean and has no obvious marking and the flipbacks are still firmly attached to the cover with no real staining on the edges, just a handful of faint creases.  The cover just has a little creasing top right but this is only minor and overall I think it would be difficult to find a more impressive one.  It is a stunning example of its kind.

The Labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels have no marking or writing and only a little spindle wear on S1 and just a little more on S2.  They have lost none of their original colour and remain in superb condition.  The KT tax stamp is on the S2 label.

The Inner Sleeve

The original Emitex sleeve is in lovely condition and its obvious it hardly ever been left out of the cover!  It is so clean and has no marking just a little creasing here and there.  No splits or tears either.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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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