The Rolling Stones : Let It Bleed 1W / 6W blue boxed stereo label

This early pressing on the blue boxed stereo label plays to a wonderful standard with only a little interference near the start of S2.  The classic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' is one of the highlights on the album and plays with stunning quality all the way through.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio on both sides is so impressive and this is clearly an album that has not been played that much at all.  There is barely any spindle wear and the vinyl is also very clean.

The cover is in superb condition with barely any wear and it includes the often elusive original poster which is also in fantastic shape with no rips or tears.  The original stereo inner is in excellent condition and the London Bach Choir credit is blacked out on this particular copy.

This is of course a later stereo pressing but was still produced in early 1970.  It does however have the first label variation so is certainly one of the first boxed pressings to be manufactured.  Not as collectable as the mono pressings but is still rarely found in this condition with the poster included!   

 SKL 5025 // XZAL-9363.P-1W / XZAL-9364.P-6W // C 2B / HA 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 first half Ex)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T1 G+ for 5 seconds / T3 intro Ex)

The cover is Near Mint-

The poster is Near Mint

The labels are Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl still has a lovely glossy sheen and has been very well preserved over the years.  There are only a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines on each side and just two short hairlines on S1 that are a little more obvious.  For 50 years old it is still a very impressive looking vinyl!  There is hardly any spindle wear and the labels remain in near perfect condition.  The run out grooves are very clean and the matrix info and JT tax code can clearly be seen.

Play grading

The intro on 'Gimme Shelter' plays very clearly with only a small number of light ticks.  Once the track kicks into gear the audio is very strong and plays with that familiar deep rich quality.  There are some more light ticks once per revolution of the record which continue to the half way point but they are very quiet and really not that intrusive.  The remainder is stunning and the fade out has no 'background' either.  The first half is Ex but the rest is Mint- in my opinion.

The acoustic intro on 'Love In Vain' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  It then plays with remarkable clarity for a record that is now over 50 years old.  The playback is superb and there is just nothing that intrudes on the quality of the audio.  The mandolin instrumental section is 'as new' which pretty much describes the entire track!  This is of course a relatively quiet track and yet Mint- is fully deserved.  

'Country Honk' goes one better and grades as Mint such is the clarity and depth of the music.  There is no interference of any kind - from the driving car intro to the 'beeps' at the end!  You could not find a better version.

The deep bass intro on 'Live With Me' is 'as new' and I heard just one mega faint tick on the first vocal that hardly warrants a mention!  From then on it plays with wonderful power and definition and there is no distortion on the top end.  The sax instrumental section is mind-blowing - it demands to be turned up to max!  And as it is such a 'clean' record the bass sound is so deep and strong also.  Wow it sounds good!  This is a fantastic version and it plays with infinite precision to the very end of the fade out.  Mint

'Let It Bleed' ends the side with stunning precision and it's like you're back in '69/'70 listening to the album for the first time!  It plays with imperious quality throughout with no sign of any interference.  There is barely any inner groove distortion and you could not wish for a stronger version.  Mint- is a fair grade here.

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The intro on 'Midnight Rambler' is nigh on perfect but annoyingly there are 5 clicks just as the vocal begins.  It then plays extremely well with only a minor touch of light background static during the first half, barely audible really.  The instrumental section is superb!  The audio is so strong and deep and even during the quiet section where the pace slows down there is barely any static and it continues to impress.  The 'high octane' finish is faultless and brings this classic to a satisfying close.  The majority is Near Mint but yes has a brief G+ section near the beginning.

The quiet 'You Got The Silver' plays with great precision from the opening groove to the last.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and only some light static on the last few seconds.  This is easily Near Mint but perhaps deserves better!

'Monkey Man' has some light static on the intro and then plays with stunning quality as the volume increases.  This is such a powerful version and from start to finish there is no intrusion on the audio.  The vocals are strong and clear and the long mid instrumental is awesome!  An Ex intro but Mint- for the remainder.

The 'choral' opening on the iconic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' plays beautifully with only a hint of barely audible static in the background.  So quiet it hardly deserves a mention!  The acoustic section and first vocal then play perfectly and as the tempo increases there is so much to admire!  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is equal to that of an un-played record and the more you progress into it the more you are impressed by it!  This truly is a stunning rendition of this classic and rarely found in this condition as it is the one track that is so often played to death!  It has that sonic quality that you only find on vinyl - the playback is so 'clean' and 'warm' and every London Bach Choir section is absolutely STUNNING!  And especially the section towards the end where it reaches a crescendo - honestly I have never heard better!  Breathtaking!  The fade out is also very clean with only light static right at the end.  This is unequivocally a Mint- finish to the album.

In summary this early boxed stereo pressing plays to a superb standard for the vast majority.  Admittedly there is a little interference at the start of S2 but fortunately it does not last long and the remainder of the side is stunning!  I am pleased to say the sonic quality across both sides is of a very high standard and nowhere is that more obvious than on the classic final track.  It is an exceptional version.  The cover is also in lovely condition and for once the original poster is included.

The Cover, Poster & Inner Sleeve

The laminated Upton Printing Group cover is in superb shape with hardly any shelf wear and as can be seen it has the original sticker on the front.  The edges have no rubbing and the spine is near perfect with only a minimal touch of wear on the bottom corner - very minimal!  The other corners have no wear of any kind and the opening edge has barely any handling wear either.  The front cover is in beautiful condition and is unmarked aside from one very small crease near the opening edge and the back cover is just as good.  This is a rarity as of course it is not laminated and as can be seen it has the mono/stereo indicator hole top right.  There is just a minor crease bottom left but overall this iconic cover is in great condition for sure.

The famous original poster is near perfect with only one minor crease in one corner and has clearly hardly ever been handled.  The blue stereo inner has no side splits or marking and only a little creasing.  This is the version that has the London Bach Choir credit blacked out.

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

SKL 5025 // XZAL-9363.P-1W / XZAL-9364.P-6W // C 2B / HA 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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