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The Rolling Stones : Beggars Banquet 3K / 2K Early Unboxed Stereo Press

This very early pressing on the unboxed stereo label plays to a very high standard with only one dull click on S2.  The clarity and power of the audio is very strong and whilst it has some of the sound 'issues' that always affect this pressing i.e. a 'thin' distorted sound you could say it is mainly restricted to the final tracks on each side.  I am saying this because I am 100% honest with my gradings!  The vinyl is very clean with no scratches and has definitely not been overplayed judging by the minimal spindle wear.

The iconic cover is in very good condition with not too much shelf wear and the inner sleeve is in excellent order with hardly any wear.  Probably not the original though.  

This early pressing has a 3K/2K matrix but does have the earliest unboxed stereo label so you could say it is one of the early first press variations.  The gatefold is the first one made also as it has 'Sleeve printed by G & L International Limited Patents Pending' on the back cover.

SKL 4955 // XZAL-8476-3K / XZAL-8477-2K // HB 1 / CH 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint- / T4 Near Mint / T5 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Near Mint- / T3 Near Mint / T5 Ex+)

The gatefold is VG+

The labels are Near Mint

 The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a very strong glossy sheen and has no scratches.  There are some light hairlines on each side and a few minor faint 'specks' but there is nothing that impacts on the audio quality.  You can easily read the JT tax stamp on the run out grooves and the unboxed labels are very clean with only minimal spindle wear.

Play grading

The percussive intro on the classic 'Sympathy For The Devil' plays perfectly and Jagger's opening vocal has no background either.  From then on it plays with outstanding power and depth and no interference.  You can hear each note so clearly and the raw power of the audio is just so good.  The instrumental that brings the track to a close is stunning and there is no background on the long fade out either.  A Mint- start to the side at the very least.

'No Expectations' has just one light dull sounding click at the very start, nothing else.  From then on it plays with very clean audio and no other intrusion.  It is mainly an acoustic track of course and yet the clarity is superb throughout other than that one minor click :-)  Let's say Near Mint-

'Dear Doctor' goes one better and plays with wonderful clarity from the first note to the last with zero intrusion on the audio.  A Mint version in my opinion.

The intro on 'Parachute Woman' is faultless and Jagger's first vocal is equal to that.  You could say there is a little 'tinny' distortion / 'thin' sound but that was symptomatic with these pressings and shouldn't be downgraded as such.  It plays with very strong audio and again there is no other intrusion on the audio.  Near Mint

The intro on 'Jig-Saw Puzzle' again plays to perfection and the first vocal is of the same high end standard.  As any Stones audiophile knows this track is always affected by inner groove distortion / a 'thin' sound but I have got to the halfway point and the audio is very impressive so far.  Not perfect but put it this way you don't have to turn the volume down if already on a relatively high level!  The remainder perhaps isn't quite as strong but is still an excellent listen.  Jagger's vocal is very clean overall and the track plays with real power throughout.  I will say Ex+ although I did say I wouldn't downgrade it!  An adjustment of the bass / treble will certainly help.

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'Street Fighting Man' plays with exceptional quality from the get go and it continues to play with real power and depth through every section.  There is no interference and no distortion either.  Another perfect fade also - no negatives here at all and Mint- is easily deserved.

The intro on 'Prodigal Son' has only 3/4 very minor static sounds and Jagger's opening vocal is as strong and clear as ever.  This standard is kept up to the very end.  It is often said this album does not have a definite bass sound and that is the case here, it is prevalent on every track I think!  Aside from that it plays with great clarity so I will grade the intro as Near Mint- and the rest as Mint-

'Stray Cat Blues' plays with genuine power from start to finish with no actual interference.  A loud powerful track the 'thin' sound is a little more obvious on the top end but I reiterate this is a pressing issue!  The 'quieter' passage towards the end is superb and the final instrumental is very impressive also.  Near Mint is fair.

The acoustic intro on 'Factory Girl' plays perfectly and this clarity is very much in evidence through every vocal and instrumental section.  A Mint- track.

The intro on 'Salt Of The Earth' also plays with stunning precision and the first vocal is equal to that.  This track is again always affected by the sound issues that I have already listed but the first half is very strong indeed.  The 'thin' sound is a little more obvious on the second half but only on the top end and from start to finish there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Once again I will grade as Ex+ due to said issues :-)

In summary this early unboxed stereo pressing plays with superb audio for the vast majority.  With only one light click on S1 there is hardly any interference and it is only the 'thin' sound that detracts from the audio.  I am nothing but honest with my gradings and I do not think there is a Mint sounding version of this LP out there!  Please feel free to tell me if I'm wrong!  The sound 'issues' stated mainly affect the final track on each side but if you want an early pressing that plays with barely any interference then this is the one for you!

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover has some shelf wear but certainly not an excessive amount.  The top edges have only a couple of rubs and the bottom edges have just a little wear near the corners.  The spine remains fully legible but is a little compressed and has a little wear near the bottom corner.  The top corners have only minimal rubbing and the opening edge has some handling wear albeit not too much.  The front cover is very clean with just one minor crease top right, a handful of the usual small creases next to the spine and light wear on the corners.  The back cover is very clean overall with just a couple of tiny 'nicks' near the top edge, a couple of faint creases and slight ringwear.  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition with no wear at all.

The poly-lined inner is in great condition with no side splits, tears or marking and only minimal creasing.  I suspect it isn't the original as it has the date code 077 printed on one side.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SKL 4955 // XZAL-8476-3K / XZAL-8477-2K // HB 1 / CH 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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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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