The Rolling Stones : No. 2 2A/1A Unboxed/Grooved Red Decca Mono 1964

This very early pressing on the unboxed and grooved red Decca label plays with very impressive audio and only minimal interference.  This is a record that has been very carefully looked after down the years and that is obvious from its superb visual quality.

As can be seen the cover is in superb condition with barely any wear and is not far off Near Mint quality.  It is easily one of the cleanest I have ever seen and this version has the 'Blind Man' text on the back.

I am sure many would say this is a first pressing as it is pressed on the unboxed grooved label but it does actually have the fourth known label variation.  Nonetheless it is a very early pressing and indeed only has a single G stamper on S2.

LK 4661 // XARL-6619-2A / XARL-6620-1A // IH 3B / G 2B

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (T3 Near Mint / T4 Ex)

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

The cover is Ex++

The labels are Ex+

The original inner is Ex

This vinyl is in lovely condition and has been so well preserved down the years.  It still has a very glossy sheen and S1 has only a small number of faint hairlines of which only one is a little more obvious.  S2 is even more  impressive with a stunning glossy look and only a handful of very faint hairlines.  There are no scratches on either side and whilst there is some spindle wear the labels are otherwise in great condition and have retained their deep red colour extremely well.  The KT tax stamp can easily be seen on both run out grooves.

Play grading  

'Everybody Needs Somebody To Love' starts S1 in impressive style with barely any static and just one light click on the intro.  From then on it plays with that typical raw Stones power with very minimal light static in the background now and then which is not intrusive in any way.  The vast majority plays with great clarity and Ex+ is deserved.

'Down Home Girl' is of a very similar standard - just the odd light static sound but again non-intrusive as so quiet.  There are no clicks or pops and also grades as Ex+

'You Can't Catch Me' is stunning from the first groove to the last with no interference at all.  It plays with wonderful depth and such clear sound.  Fade outs always give a good indication of the clarity and this particular one has no 'background' at all.  A Near Mint version for sure if not better!

The classic 'Time Is On My Side' has only minimal static on the intro and then plays extremely well with only a little more static in the middle section.  Don't get me wrong it is not loud and the music still plays very clearly - I just write exactly what I hear!  There is one light click right at the end and overall an Ex grade is about right.

With only a little static on the intro 'What A Shame' then plays with superb quality and the long instrumental that ends the track is very strong indeed.  Ex+

'Grown Up Wrong' has only 3/4 seconds of light static on the intro and the remainder cannot be faulted.  For a final track to play so clearly with no inner groove distortion is a rarity and especially on a 56 year old mono record being played through a stereo set up!  There is one light click towards the end but on a drum beat so is hardly intrusive.  An Ex+ end to the side.

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'Down The Road Apiece' on S2 plays with clarity, power and depth from the get go and has only one light click just after the verse and another towards the end.  A shame because apart from that this really is a stunning version and has no underlying static at all.  The majority is Near Mint for sure but will have to grade as Ex overall.

No such issue with 'Under The Boardwalk' as it plays with incredible audio from start to finish with no interference.  There is a genuine sense of depth and warmth here and Near Mint is an easy grade to give.

'I Can't Be Satisfied' is another track that plays with a clarity and depth that defies the age of the album.  There is barely any static and just one light click on the final note.  It's so darn good I have to give it a Near Mint- grade.

'Pain In My Heart' has only very minimal static background here and there and there are no clicks or pops.  Ex

'Off The Hook' plays very clearly with only a little inner groove distortion on the vocal.  This is common with this track and is certainly not intrusive.  Actually the more I listen to it the more impressed I am!  Ex+ is a fair assessment of the audio here.  Just a couple of light ticks right at the end.

'Suzie-Q' has a couple of minor ticks on the intro and then plays with very strong audio and no interference.  There is only minimal distortion and ends the album with Ex audio.

In summary this very early mono pressing plays to an excellent standard with only minimal interference.  So many of the unboxed Decca pressings are in poor condition but this is not one of them!  It has obviously been very well looked after and that is reflected in the audio and visual quality.  The clarity on this album is very impressive and as stated there are only a handful of minor clicks and very little static.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The non-flipback James Upton cover is in lovely condition and is easily one of the finest example I have seen in a long time.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in fantastic shape with no rubbing/marking and there is barely any corner wear either.  The opening edge is also as close to perfect as is possible.  The laminated front cover has no marking/damage and has only a couple of small laminate creases on the surface and 4/5 minor creases around the edges.  It really is in superb condition!  The back cover is equally as good with none of the marking/staining that you so often see.  Perhaps just a hint of barely visible fading around the edges but that is being super critical!  As stated it has the 'Blind Man' text and this is without doubt a stunning example of this cover.

The original poly-lined inner is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only a couple of faint marks on each side plus a little creasing.

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 4661 // XARL-6619-2A / XARL-6620-1A // IH 3B / G 2B

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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