The Rolling Stones : Aftermath 6B/3A Unboxed/Grooved Red Decca 1966

This very early pressing on the unboxed/grooved red Decca label plays with stunning quality on both sides and to say the vast majority is 'as new' is no exaggeration!  This is quite possibly the finest Aftermath I have ever listened to and I have played a fair few!  The only aberration are two consecutive clicks on S2 but aside from that you cannot hardly fault the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio, the playback is sensational!  A classic example of that is 'Lady Jane' which plays with stunning precision.  The clarity on both sides is just on another level.

In my opinion this record has not been played very much at all.  There is minimal spindle wear and just one look at the vinyl shows just how well it has been preserved, it really is very impressive visually and still has a stunning glossy 'look'.

The cover is also in fantastic condition and if I'm honest has no real wear.  There is a small name on the reverse but that is the only negative.

Of course the unboxed / grooved pressing was the first produced but this particular label is one of the slightly later ones as it is missing the KT tax code.  According to the stonesondecca site this means it was produced in late '67 or early '68.  Regardless of that you won't find many better versions!

LK 4786 // XARL-7209-6B / XARL-7210-3A // AD 63B / AU C12

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 & T6 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 G+ for 2 seconds!)  

The cover is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner is Ex

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and has clearly only ever been lightly played judging by the audio quality and the minimal spindle wear.  It could hardly look any more impressive - it has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and there are no scratches and only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines which are not easy to find anyway!  There are a small number of very specks on S2 but again they are not easy to locate.  There is also one tiny 'needle drop' type mark on S2.  The run out grooves are perfectly clean and you can easily make out the KT tax stamp.  The deep red Decca labels are also in superb order with no marking or loss of colour.

Play grading  

'Mother's Little Helper' plays with stunning clarity and definition from the first groove to the last, the sonic quality is just amazing!  There is no intrusion on the audio and in all honesty is as good as it would have been back in '66.  I detected only a couple of dust ticks and this is easily a Mint- start to the side.

I am pleased to say 'Stupid Girl' is of the same 'high end' standard.  It's the clarity and depth of the sound that really stands out - the playback is exceptional and it goes without saying that there are no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static either.  Mint-

There is of course no hiding place for the quiet 'Lady Jane' and yet the clarity is again just out of this world!  I don't mean to get too over enthusiastic but how often does this classic play with such stunning precision?  I detected only one light tick and an almost imperceptible amount of mega light static but this is unquestionably one of the finest, if not THE finest example of this track that I have ever encountered.  I even think I am a little harsh in grading it as Near Mint but I prefer to be cautious.  Each note is so clean - what a version!

'Under My Thumb' again delivers and then some.  On such a 'clean' vinyl the bass is so strong and adds so much depth to the track.  Very obvious here!  From start to finish it plays with faultless audio and Mint- is again deserved.

The 'percussive' intro on 'Doncha Bother Me' is 'as new' and it continues to play with breathtaking quality.  Every verse and instrumental section plays with sublime clarity and even during the 'louder' passages there is no distortion.  Mint-

The epic 'Goin' Home' plays so clearly from the outset with - just a hint of barely audible static.  Thereafter it plays with great precision and barely any interference.  There is one light click and 3/4 very light ticks after 5 minutes but that is really the only 'background' to be heard.  As per the rest of the side it plays with outstanding clarity and of course there are many quiet sections here.  There is no inner groove distortion and again the depth of the audio is so strong.  I am confident in grading the 11+ minutes as Near Mint such is the quality.

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The piano intro on 'Flight 505' plays perfectly and the first verse is of the same quality.  It continues to play so well - a powerful track with a lot 'going on' and yet it plays with that familiar raw quality with no intrusion whatsoever.  A Mint- start to the side.

'High And Dry' is superb from the very first note and the quality does not decrease as you progress into the track.  Every section plays with exceptional clarity and Mint- is again a correct description.  No needs for a minus really!

The intro on the classic 'Out Of Time' has no interference although there are two clicks just as the first verse begins caused by that tiny 'needle drop' mark.  From that point the playback is STUNNING!  I often find this track has a 'muddy' quality to the sound by that is certainly not the case here.  The clarity is 'shop fresh' no exaggeration and each note can be heard with such immaculate precision.  A fantastic version that is only marred by two seconds at the beginning.  99% is Mint and 1% is G+ I can't say fairer than that :-)

'It's Not Easy' is 'as new' and that is not a selling 'technique' just my honest appraisal of the audio quality.  Superb clarity and power throughout and...you know the grade.  Amazing!

The quiet intro on 'I Am Waiting' again leaves you shaking your head in disbelief and you have to remind yourself this record is 55 years old!  This is as good as it gets basically as there is just no 'background' - not one tick or worse and is Mint from the first groove to the last.

'Take It Or Leave It' has a clarity of sound that is off the scale and and again 'as new' is fully deserved.  Mint

As you approach the end you would expect a little inner groove distortion and especially when you consider 'Think' is one of the more powerful tracks on the album.  But no!  It plays with a power, depth and clarity that cannot be faulted.  Mint

'What To Do' ends the album with stunning precision once more and remarkably still no distortion.  This side really is a fantastic example of a record that has hardly been played.  A Mint finish for sure.

In summary this is very probably the most exceptional unboxed Decca pressings of this album that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  The clarity, depth, warmth and power of the audio is STUNNING and the complete lack of distortion is another pleasant surprise.  The playback is only really affected by the two clicks on S2 but for a 55 year old record to play with such immaculate precision is a genuine rarity.  It is perhaps not surprising when you consider the stunning visual quality of the vinyl!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The Robert Stace cover is in superb condition with no obvious wear, a beautifully preserved copy.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in perfect order, there is no real corner wear and the opening edge is in great condition also.  The laminated front cover is unmarked and has only a couple of small laminate creases on the surface and some of the usual creases next to the spine.  The back cover is also in superb shape with no marking or staining - how rare is that?!  The only 'negative' is a small name written in pen top left so will have to downgrade because of it but would otherwise be Near Mint- in my opinion.  You certainly don't find many as 'clean' as this today!

The original poly-lined inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and just one very small 'nick' on the top edge and some some light creasing.  The non-text side has one small mark also.

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

LK 4786 // XARL-7209-6B / XARL-7210-3A // AD 63B / AU C12

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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Postage & Packaging

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