The Rolling Stones : Let It Bleed 4W / 4W un-boxed blue label

This very early stereo pressing on the blue unboxed Decca label plays to a superb standard and there is only a little interference on 'You Can't Always Get What You Want'.  It does not last long and the remainder of the track is STUNNING as is the rest of the album!  The clarity and depth of the audio is among the finest I have heard.

The vinyl is visually very impressive apart from one very small faint mark and it is actually from the same home as per the other Stones' records that I am selling.  He looked after his records extremely well!

The iconic cover is also in superb condition with no obvious wear.  It has the 'Rolling Stones Poster' sticker on the front but sadly the poster is long gone.  The original stereo inner is in excellent shape and still has the London Bach Choir credit on there.

Shipping costs to the US have increased recently so please wait for the invoice.  As an example I recently sent 3 LPs via tracked shipping and this cost just over £34.00 - packaging costs not included!

SKL 5025 // XZAL - 9363.P - 4W / XZAL - 9364.P - 4W // CA 2 / BU 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T4 VG for 20 seconds)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Ex-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition overall and retains a stunning glossy sheen.  It has clearly been very well looked after and the only 'imperfection' is a small blemish/faint mark on the final track.  Aside from that it is so clean and has no other marks or scratches - there is a very faint hairline across S1 but it is not easy to spot and obviously has no affect on the superb audio.  There is some spindle wear but not an excessive amount and the run out grooves are very clean indeed, the matrix info and the JT tax code can easily be seen.

Play grading

The unmistakable intro on 'Gimme Shelter' plays perfectly with no intrusion and from then on plays with that deep rich sound that you only get with a 'clean' vinyl.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops - no unwanted 'background' at all.  It is a stunning rendition and the clarity and power of the audio is so good.  The fade has no interference and this is easily a Mint- start to the album.  

The acoustic intro on 'Love In Vain' makes you think is this record really over 50 years old?!  The playback is superb and the first vocal is of the same 'high end' standard.  It continues to play with wonderful clarity and there is no interference of any kind.  The delicate mandolin instrumental section plays with incredible precision as does the entire track.  Considering this is a relatively quiet track the audio is stunning and Mint- is again deserved but as I often say is the minus really that necessary on these two opening tracks?!

'Country Honk' is sublime from start to finish.  Each note is so precise and you honestly could not wish to find a stronger version.  One thing that really stands out is the clarity of the 'fiddle' here - the playback is exceptional and this is Mint in every sense of the word.  Wow!

The deep bass intro on 'Live With Me' has lost none of its original quality and it continues to play with breathtaking power and definition.  There is no distortion on the vocal and there are just no negatives and this track again emphasises just how well the previous owner looked after his records.  A fantastic version and whilst I do not mean to repeat myself the clarity and power here is STUNNING!  Plus another fade out with no 'background'.  Mint

'Let It Bleed' plays with great precision from the first groove and (surprise!) continues in the same precise way.  It's like you're back in '69 the audio definition is that impressive!  Once more there is nothing that intrudes on the quality of the listen and the playback is just sensational from beginning to end.  There is no inner groove distortion and for a final track there is just nothing to fault.  A Mint end to the side for sure.

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'Midnight Rambler' has only a very minimal hint of light static at the start but it's just what you expect on the opening grooves.  It is so quiet and hardly worth a mention really!  As soon as the track 'gets going' the playback is outstanding and again the depth of the audio is the real winner here.  I cannot overstate how superb this classic is!  There is no intrusion on the audio - I did detect 3/4 mega light static ticks but they are so far in the background and totally insignificant.  The sonic quality here is as strong as it was over 50 years ago and a prime example of that is during the long instrumental section.  I have never heard it play so well and the quiet passage that precedes the next vocal has very minimal static, nothing intrusive, and the 'high octane' section that ends this classic is 'as new' for sure.  This is an exceptional version and Mint- is again deserved.

The intro on 'You Got The Silver' is nigh on perfect with only one minor tick and there is no underlying static.  From then on it plays with incredible precision right to the final note.  I'll keep it brief, Mint-

'Monkey Man' is 'as new' from the very first groove and as Jagger's vocal comes in there is no let up in quality.  Every section plays with sublime definition and the mid instrumental more than proves my point, it is stunning!  The remainder is flawless and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as it just could not play any better.

The 'choral' opening on the iconic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' plays beautifully with no intrusion and it's only after 45 seconds and just before the acoustic guitar comes in that there is a little interference.  First time on the album!  Some light ticks to start with followed by a few crackle sounds once per revolution of the record.  However, it does not last long and as vocal starts the audio is back to its best.  From then on it plays as per the rest of the album with wonderful clarity and depth and with a warmth that you only find on vinyl.  The audio is so 'clean' it truly is a sensational version apart from that 15 seconds - a little frustrating!  There is no inner groove distortion and every note plays with such sharp precision.  The London Bach Choir sections are just STUNNING and especially towards the end.  I turned the volume up during this section and I cannot put into words just how incredible the playback is here!  Never ever heard better it is spellbinding!  The fade out then plays perfectly and whilst the vast majority is Mint it does of course have a brief VG section.

In summary this very early stereo pressing is near perfect and it's only the final track that has a little interference for a few seconds.  It is a shame but the remainder of this classic track plays beautifully and the rest of the album cannot be faulted either.  The sonic quality is as good as it would have been when first released and whilst it has certainly been played a few times it can only have been on high end equipment.  As stated this is from the same 'home' as the other Stones' records that I am selling and they have all been very carefully looked after down the decades.

The Cover

The laminated Upton Printing Group cover is in lovely condition with only barely any wear.  As can be seen it has the sticker on the front but sadly there is no poster included.  The top and bottom edge of the front cover are in perfect order with no rubbing.  The back cover is very slightly out of the alignment with the front (a bit careless in the factory!) so the top edge here is just very slightly above the front and has only a couple of very minor 'dings' but they are hardly noticeable.  The spine is in fantastic condition with only a little wear on the bottom corner and the other corners are in great shape with no wear at all.  The opening edge has only very minimal handling wear.  The front cover is so clean and has no marking and the back cover is equally as impressive which is rare considering it isn't laminated like the front.  As can be seen it has the mono/stereo indicator hole top right.  So overall this iconic cover has withstood the test of time extremely well, a fine example.

The Inner Sleeve

The blue stereo inner has no side splits but does have some creasing mainly around the corners.  As this is such an early pressing the London Bach Choir has not been blacked out or removed.

The Labels

The unboxed blue Decca labels are in great condition with no marking or writing and not too much spindle wear.

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 - 4W / XZAL - 9364.P - 4W // CA 2 / BU 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!