The Who : My Generation 2B / 1B Mono Press 1965 (Brunswick)

This mono pressing on the iconic Brunswick label is without question the finest example I have ever played with a clarity, depth and power that is second to none.  There is just no interference and apart from some minor distortion at the end of S1 the playback is more or less perfect.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static either, the sonic quality is quite simply exceptional.  A FINAL UPGRADE in my opinion.

The cover is in excellent condition with only minor marking on the back, it is definitely one of better ones out there.  The inner sleeve has also withstood the test of time very well with only minor wear.

I guess strictly speaking the 1B/1B matrix is a genuine first press but this one was obviously pressed very soon after.  I don't Discogs too reliable a source if I'm honest but this is undeniably a very early pressing that will impress any die-hard collector.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

LAT 8616 // MG-10256-2B / MG-10257-1B // B 1 / BU 21

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T6 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is a very strong Ex-

The labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex

The vinyl is in great condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen with no dulling or mottling of the surface.  There are no marks or scratches and there are not too many hairlines.  Admittedly there are three on S1 that are somewhat obvious but they have no affect on the stunning audio at all.  This record, understandably so, is generally found heavily played and with a fair amount of groove wear but this one has clearly not been on a turntable too often judging by the audio and minimal spindle wear.  The run out grooves are very clean and you can easily read the matrix info and the KT tax stamp on both sides.  The 'Brunswick' labels are in fantastic condition with no marking or writing and only a little spindle wear as stated.  They could hardly look any better.

Play grading  

The opening grooves on any record often play with fair amount of 'background' and especially one that is over 55 years old!  However, the intro on 'Out In The Street' is as so close to perfect that you will find.  There is only a hint of barely audible static for one second at most!  The clarity is amazing.  This standard is kept up as Daltrey's vocal comes in and from start to finish this classic opening track plays with sensational clarity and definition and there is just no interference of any kind.  I love the production values on this album and they are exemplified when you find a copy as well preserved as this.  Just from this track alone you can already tell the record has not been over-played such is the sonic quality on offer.  A Mint- start to the side without a doubt.

'I Don't Mind' then plays to the same 'high end' standard with no intrusion once more.  It really is the clarity that stands out as you would expect some 'background' but no the playback is just so clean and 'fresh' and there is no underlying static at all let alone anything more.  Even the fade out plays perfectly!  Mint- is again deserved.

We all know that the intro on 'The Good's Gone' always plays with some static distortion.  Not here!  As perfect a start that you could wish for and it proceeds to play with unbelievable clarity and depth.  The harmonies have lost none of their original quality and there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static from the first note to the last.  Mint- although I am not sure a minus is required!

The percussive intro on 'La-La-La-Lies' is faultless and it continues in the same way with no interference.  This is a 'high octane' track and yet there is no distortion and the playback is not affected in any way.  A stunning and very powerful  Mint- version.

The intro on the classic 'Much Too Much' is STUNNING!  It continues to play with remarkable power and again the definition of the audio is just so impressive.  What I mean by that is that each note can be heard with such precision - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound whatsoever.  By this stage you might expect some inner groove distortion (this is being played through a stereo set up after all) and yet the playback is not affected in any way.  Once again I am confident in grading this as Mint-

The total classic 'My Generation' ends the side with, you guessed it, great quality throughout.  It has to be the strongest/cleanest version I have ever heard and as any audiophile will know this final track often plays with a fair amount of distortion.  Ok I'll hold my hands up (!) there is a little towards the end and perhaps just a tad more during Moon's frenetic solo and the closing section but, and I repeat, this is the finest version I have heard and you can still turn it up to max without having to turn it down immediately!  I think Near Mint- just about covers it.

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'The Kids Are Alright' plays with stunning quality from the get go and continues in the same way.  There is no intrusion on the audio and listening to this you can just shut your eyes and transport yourself back to the halcyon days of the 60s!  Well I'm too young but you get my drift!  The vocals are of course so high in the mix here and yet they 100% sound as good as they did in 65 if not better on more advanced equipment!  The clarity and warmth of the audio is again out of this world and Mint- is again an easy grade to give.

It is getting a little difficult not to repeat myself but 'Please Please Please' quite simply plays with a clarity that is second to none.  This is one of the quieter tracks on the album and yet the audio is just so 'clean' with no ticks, clicks etc.  It doesn't get any better than this!  Mint-

The acapella intro on 'It's Not True' provides further evidence of a vinyl that has been so carefully looked after and only lightly played.  The 'harmony' blasts out of the speakers with sublime clarity and power and from then plays to a standard that really makes you stop and think.  This is as 'complete' a version that I have ever heard, I cannot praise it highly enough.  Play it loud there is no distortion whatsoever!  I will grade as Mint- as there is just one light tick at the end of the fade out!

'I'm A Man' plays with perfect clarity from the first note to the last with...no interference.  The long instrumental plays with stunning clarity and again the depth of sound really shines through.  A relatively quiet section and yet there is no 'background' at all.  The 'build up' towards the end plays with great power and the final piano section/vocal/percussive section also plays without fault.  Mint-

Townshend's intro on 'A Legal Matter' has no distortion, another rarity, and the first vocal is flawless.  From then on it plays with tremendous power and depth and again no interference.  Another 'high end' version, you know the grade :-)

The percussive intro on 'The Ox' is 'as new' and from then plays with genuine power and definition.  So often plagued by intrusive distortion this version is stunning to say the least.  It plays loud and true with distortion, no 'background' at all.  There are no negatives, the strongest version I have ever listened to and it provides a Mint- finish to this classic album.  It is worth pointing out that the fade out has not even a single dust tick.

In summary you will not be surprised to hear that I am positive that this is without question the finest example of this album that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  It is a FINAL UPGRADE version with no interference on either side.  The clarity and depth of the audio is so impressive and I just cannot find any fault.  Ok perhaps a minor touch of distortion at the end of S1 but there are no clicks or pops, no skips or jumps and no irritating static either.  The sonic quality on both sides is on a level you so rarely find today.  This is a true time-warp classic for sure, what an album!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

This famous cover has also been very well cared for and has only minimal wear.  The edges and thin pinched spine have no wear and there is barely any corner wear.  So rare to find them this good!  The opening edge is also near perfect and the laminated 'Clarifoil' front cover is in beautiful condition with no marking or creasing.  The all important 'white' back cover is in excellent condition - it does have some light fading/marking but as you can tell from the photos it is rarely seen as clean as this and has retained its original white colour very well.  A small number of 'spots' near the opening edge, some light marking and minor ringwear this is a very impressive cover for sure.

I'm not exactly sure if this is the original inner but it could be as I doubt they only used one 'type' for this first pressing.  This one certainly has that 'aged' look from the mid 60s!  It is poly-lined and remains in excellent condition with no side splits and just one tiny tear on the top edge.  There is some light creasing and a little age related fading around the edges also.  The printed side has 'British patent No. 800513 & 973989' and 'Made In England 057' on it.

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

LAT 8616 // MG-10256-2B / MG-10257-1B // B 1 / BU 21

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.

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