The Rolling Stones : Beggars Banquet 4A / 2A 1st Mono Press Unboxed Red Decca

This very collectable first pressing on the grooved/unboxed red Decca label is in very good condition with only a little interference here and there.  Static is the main culprit so I am sure the audio could be improved when it is played as a mono record as I only have a stereo system.

It is also worth noting just how early the stampers are 'B' and 'U'.  Based on the BUCKINGHAM system this is clearly one of the first ever off the 'press'.

The iconic 'mono' cover has only a little wear and has been well cared for over the years.  The original inner has no side splits just some creasing.

LK 4955 // XARL - 8476 - 4A / XARL - 8477 - 2A // B 1 / U 1

The audio on S1 ranges between VG+ and Ex+

The audio on S2 ranges between VG and Ex+

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Ex++

The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

This vinyl is in very good condition with no marks or scratches.  There are a number of faint hairlines as you so often find with this collectable record but do not be put off by this.  Heavy vinyl was built to last in the late 60s and this is by no means in poor condition, I have seen far worse!  The run out grooves and labels are very clean but there is some spindle wear as you would expect.

Play grading  

The intro on the classic 'Sympathy For The Devil' plays with stunning clarity and only a minor hint of barely audible static.  As the vocal begins the audio is just as good and it continues to play with great depth and power and no intrusion.  There is just one tick during the mid guitar solo and one light click as Jagger returns and the remainder is nigh on perfect with only a few ticks at the end of the long fade out.  This a very 'clean' version for a mono pressing with barely any interference so grades as Ex+ in my opinion although the majority does play to a higher standard.

'No Expectations' has some light static on the intro and 3/4 light ticks.  This static is prevalent throughout the track but the vocal and music still play very clearly.  Yes the static is a little intrusive but it is certainly not 'high' in the mix and it remains a very enjoyable listen.  There are a couple of light clicks prior to the final vocal so this is by no means a perfect listen but it still ranges between VG+ and Ex- as there really is not too much interference.

I would say 'Dear Doctor' plays with greater clarity and whilst there is some background static it is not particularly intrusive.  There are no clicks or pops and for a mono pressing this is an impressive Ex version.  Just realised there is one click but that is literally at the end of the fade out!

'Parachute Woman' has very little static but as is common does have some inner groove distortion.  This can always be reduced when played as a mono record - this is played on my stereo set up.  It still plays well with no other interference aside from a little 'background' at the end of the harmonica fade out.  Ex- is about right here. 

The intro on 'Jig-Saw Puzzle' is very impressive considering this is the final track track on the side.  There is no obvious interference and it continues in the same way as the vocal begins.  From then on the audio cannot really be faulted and this is one of the 'cleanest' mono versions I have heard in quite some time.  There is perhaps just a little more distortion as it progresses but this is to be expected and it does not detract from the audio in my opinion.  The remainder does not disappoint and the long fade out plays very clearly indeed.  Ex- is again a fair reflection of the audio here.    

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From the first groove 'Street Fighting Man' plays extremely well with barely any static and it continues in the same manner.  There is just a mild touch of underlying static but it is so quiet and totally non-intrusive and may only be because this is a mono record on a stereo system.  There are no clicks or pops and it plays with very powerful audio all the way through and only a little static on the fade out.  This is Ex+ I am happy to say.

As 'Prodigal Son' is more of an acoustic track the static is a little more obvious but there is no other intrusion on the audio and Ex- is about right.

The intro on 'Stray Cat Blues' has a little static but as the vocal begins it is definitely reduced.  From then on it plays very well with no clicks or pops and just some of the ubiquitous static in the background.  The vocals play clearly and the long instrumental end section is very impressive indeed.  Some light static and a couple of ticks on the fade out but overall this is Ex with strong audio.

'Factory Girl' as you would expect has some static on the quiet intro and a couple of light ticks but then plays with great clarity and barely any 'background'.  I would say VG+ on the intro and Ex for the remainder.

'Salt of The Earth' has a little static and a few light ticks for the first minute or so.  It then plays well when you consider final tracks often have a fair amount of inner groove distortion but it is only towards the end where it is somewhat intrusive.  I think VG is an honest appraisal of the audio.

In summary this very collectable mono pressing does have some interference here and there but it remains very 'playable' and there are no loud clicks or pops and no skips/jumps either.  The actual vinyl is quite clean and it has certainly not been used and abused over the decades.

The Gatefold

The 'mono' covers are often found in poor condition but this one has been preserved quite well over the years.  The edges are in superb order with barely any rubbing and even the wide spine, which is so often obliterated, is relatively clean.  It does have some marking and small crease lines but is still 100% legible and in pretty good shape in my opinion.  It has no laminate splitting which makes a change.  The corners do not have too much wear either and the opening edge has only a little handling wear.  The front cover is very clean with laminate wear, just two very small clusters of indent marks and some crease lines next to the spine.  The back cover if anything is even better with only a couple of minor creases and 3/4 minor creases next to the spine.  This is certainly one of the better 'mono' covers that you will find.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined inner is very clean and has no side splits or tears and only a little creasing.  There is no obvious age related fading at all.

The Inner Sleeve  

The unboxed red Decca labels are in superb condition with no marking or writing and have lost none of their original 'look' with no fading or spotting at all.  There is some spindle wear but not an excessive amount.

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 4955 // XARL - 8476 - 4A / XARL - 8477 - 2A // B 1 / U 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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