THE BEATLES - RUBBER SOUL Orig 2nd Pressing 1965 -4/-4 VG LP Parlophone PMC1267

$

17

Here we have a very decent original 1965 Mono 2nd UK pressing of Rubber Soul on Parlophone Records!  Some people would call this a 1st pressing but there was a very short lived -1/-1 matrix "Loud Cut" version where the mastering had too much bass and was found to be a "muddier" sound especially on equipment at the time.  The presses were stopped very quickly and they changed the mastering and started the presses again with the -4/-4 matrix numbers.  This, to me without a doubt, would make this a 2nd pressing though these -4/-4's were the majority of records available in the record shop on the day of release.  As with all of The Beatles albums up until Sgt. Pepper, the UK pressings were different from their US counterparts and the UK version was the tracklist as the band originally intended it.  In the U.S. songs were removed and the order changed.  To me, this was blasphemy and the reason I only collect UK pressings!  :P 
This is your chance to own an original 1965 UK pressing of this landmark album as The Beatles intended it to be heard and in glorious Mono!  It is located here in the United States so you won't have to pay that outrageous UK shipping!!  Pay only $4 or less instead of $20 or more by buying it here!!

I don't think Rubber Soul needs much introduction from me but for those who may not know here is a short description of the album:
From thebeatles.com:

Rubber Soul was another album for Christmas - released on 3rd December, 1965 just two weeks after final mixing had taken place. Following the release of their previous album The Beatles had undertaken a momentous tour of the USA and Canada including a record breaking appearance at New York's famous Shea Stadium.

Following a deserved holiday, the guys returned to the studios in mid October, not only to record the album but also a new single - their first double A-side featuring "Day Tripper" and "We Can Work It Out"

The album consisted of eleven songs by John and Paul, two by George and another with the unique writing credit of Lennon-McCartney-Starkey. The inclusion of a sitar on the song Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) also illustrated George's growing interest in Indian music and culture.

Rubber Soul was also the last Beatles album for which Norman Smith manned the control desk. He took his leave after six albums and eleven singles going on to produce Pink Floyd and later still to enjoy success as 'Hurricane' Smith.

The front cover photograph of Rubber Soul was again taken by Robert Freeman but the way the faces appear slightly distorted on the sleeve was a result on a happy accident while the image was being projected. It is also interesting to note that the group's name is absent from the front of the sleeve.

The album spent nine weeks at the album chart summit in the UK during a healthy 43 chart stay.

In the US Rubber Soul was released but despite the fact that sleeve looked similar to its UK counterpart, the track listing was different. Of the twelve tracks released on the American album only ten were common to the UK version. 'I've Just Seen A Face' and 'It's Only Love' from side two of the British Help! album replaced four tracks which the US would save for a future release titled "Yesterday....And Today". The US "Rubber Soul" album reached # 1 in early January 1966 and stayed there for six weeks during an initial chart run of 51 weeks.
Description:
Parlophone Records: PMC 1267

Matrix numbers:     Side One: XEX 579-4    Mothers/Stampers:  7GRR                         Side Two: XEX 580-4   Mothers/Stampers:  4GMR                                                     I grade very conservatively using the scale below.
Sleeve: The laminated Garrod & Lofthouse sleeve is in VG to VG+ with small creases along the spine and elsewhere, a small amount of paint in the upper right hand corner, the corners are kind of dog eared and the back is a bit grubby and yellowed but no other markings or writing.  Overall, a very respectable sleeve with no splits or tears.
Disc: The vinyl is VG- while it retains its first pressed sheen and is a thick slab of vinyl, it does have many hairlines and many visible scratches, though none are feelable save for one scratch on Norwegian Wood that looks a little worse.  It still plays through with some pops and clicks, though no jumps or skips. Some pops at the end of I'm looking Through You. The album plays through easily VG to VG- with only the pops on NW and a few other spots and slight crackling (most noticeably during Michelle) that I'm sure would be greatly helped from a nice cleaning! Not perfect by any means but a very enjoyable listen and nothing is overwhelming the music. Again, a good cleaning would do wonders too! Soon I will start to have the records I sell cleaned professionally!  
Labels: The labels have evidence of play but no writing or marking...grades easily VG++ to EX
Inner Sleeve:  Emitex inner sleeve is G+...it has a large tear along the label hole on one side and a smaller tear on the other though the protective "rice paper" is still intact.  There are small splits along all sides though not fully split and a smaller split on the bottom.  Someone has written PMC 1267 on the top right hand corner of one side.
I grade strictly using the scale below and have included detailed photos of every flaw and from every angle I could.  Please refer to these photos so you know EXACTLY what you're getting.  I strive for 100% positive feedback and customer satisfaction so in the unlikely event of any problems please contact me first and I will do everything possible to resolve them.  I ship all LP's in a new, sturdy cardboard LP mailer with the disc outside the sleeve in a high quality replacement inner sleeve to preserve the original and in a clear outer sleeve with a cardboard stiffener on both sides insuring that the record arrives safely in exactly the same condition as it left.
Grading Scale:
Mint (M) … Seldom used grade, especially for used vinyl, for records that are absolutely perfect but not necessarily sealed. 
Near Mint (NM)… This is the highest grade generally given. This will be a nearly perfect record that will show no obvious signs of wear or other defects. LP covers will be nearly perfect with no seam splits, cut-out holes, creases, stickers, writing, general wear or other defects. EP and 45 rpm sleeves will also be free of all but the most minor defect. 
Excellent (EX)…  Record will show only very minor defects and generally not more than one. This is still a very nice record that will play perfectly. Only minor flaws allowed on records or sleeves. 
Very Good + (VG+) … Record will show some signs of use or handling but it has been well taken care of. Expect to see small defects like light scuffing, light scratches, minor label wear, small markings on label. Record will still play well without noise. Covers will have some wear on surface or edges, bruised corners, small seam split, small markings, small stickers but generally not a combination of defects. 
Very Good (VG) … Record will have a little heavier wear with maybe a little noise between tracks and soft passages but not enough to overwhelm the music. May have heavier small scratches but record will play through. Labels may have more obtrusive markings, tape or stickers.  Covers may be more heavily worn, markings, stickers, cut-out defects or a couple of more minor defects. 
Good (G) … Moving to the lower end quality wise and the defects will be more prominent or there may be multiple defects. Should still be playable and covers will be a little rough. 
Poor (P) … Generally this record is in the trash but it may be a hard to find piece that still has some value due to rarity. Don’t expect much. 

Shipping is $4.00 or less via USPS Media Mail within the U.S.  WAY CHEAPER than shipping from the UK which is usually a MINIMUM of $20...so get this copy for cheap!  No international shipping for this item.  
Thanks for looking and good luck! Please check out my other listings for more great vinyl!  :)