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The Who : My Generation 2B / 2B 1st Mono Press Variation? Brunswick 1965

This very collectable album plays with stunning quality and in essence there is no interference.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static anywhere.  The only background is some inner groove distortion on 'My Generation' but that is so often the case and it is still a very strong version.  It is certainly not overpowering and is cleaner than many I have heard.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio on both sides is so impressive and the vinyl has clearly been very well looked after.  It was of course recorded loud and plays with a ferocious, powerful sound - a different kind of clarity you could say - but this copy still plays to such a high standard.

The cover is superb! Rarely found like this today the back cover is the all important element in a way because it isn't protected by laminate and I can confidently say it is one of the finest I have ever seen.  It is so clean and has no obvious marking.  The front cover is quite impressive also!  Not bad for at least 60 years old!  The poly-lined inner sleeve is in very good condition but with not too much wear.  I doubt if it is the original as it is dated 3-68 and this album was pressed earlier than that.

So is this a first press variation or a first repress / second press?  The labels are slightly different with the boxed BIEM and NCB next to each other instead of NCB above BIEM.  The M/T tax code is not on the labels either.  It has a 2B/2B matrix also.

LAT 8616  //  MG-10256-2B  BC 1   ---   MG-10257-2B  A 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint / T6 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 & T6 Near Mint)

The cover is a very strong Ex

The poly-lined (Important!) inner sleeve is VG+

The Brunswick labels are Near Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still holds a strong glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  There is a faint thumbnail nail type hairline mark on each side but they have no impact on the superb audio.  Aside from that I can only see some faint hairlines when I look under a bright light.  There is no groove or surface wear, no 'bag-rash' and the Brunswick labels are very clean with not too much spindle wear.  The KT tax code can easily be seen in the run out grooves.

Play grading

The intro on 'Out In The Street' has no background and Daltrey's opening vocal section plays with great clarity and depth also.  It continues in much the same way with no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the overwhelming sense is of a very clean vinyl so far.  The audio definition is so impressive and Townshend's 'notes' have no static distortion either.  A superb Mint- start to the album.

The first cover 'I Don't Mind' again plays with stunning quality through every vocal and instrumental section.  There is no background and even the more powerful Moon beats play without fault.  Sonically this is so strong and even the long fade out has no background.  I'll say Mint-

Townshend's intro on 'The Good's Gone' is perfect and the opening vocal is just as strong and clear.  It's a 'busy' number and yet there is nothing to detract from the audio.  Remember this record is at least 60 years old and the clarity and power of the audio here is superb.  There is no distortion and the mid instrumental is a classic example of that.  The vocals are very high in the mix and the backing vocals of Townshend and Entwistle add a very clean melody to this classic.  Fair to say it also grades as Mint as there is no background at all.

'La-La-La-Lies' keeps up the standard and plays with phenomenal audio from start to finish.  Again it's the total lack of static distortion that is a real stand out feature and the audio is so sharp and well defined.  It's such a powerful number and yet sonically it is as strong as ever.  Mint-

As you get closer to the end you might expect some inner groove distortion and yet 'Much Too Much' plays very clearly with no intrusion.  If there is any it is kept to an absolute minimum - perhaps not quite as clear as the previous tracks but seriously only a shade below.  It still plays incredibly well and again there is nothing getting in the way of the audio.  Near Mint

The classic 'My Generation' ends the side with very strong audio.  So often it is hardly playable due to a lot of distortion but this is a very impressive version.  A little inner groove distortion yes but nothing that makes you want to lift the needle off the record!  A little more towards the end on the final raucous instrumental / vocal but you kind of expect it anyway - I've listened to a few of these down the years!  I'll say Ex+ and I hope that isn't too harsh.

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The first note from Townshend's guitar on 'The Kids Are Alright' plays perfectly and the opening vocal has no background as does the first chorus.  From then on it plays so clearly and again there are no ticks, clicks etc.  It has that raw mono sound, it really is a superb version.  The high octane instrumental near the end could not play any better and the final vocal is faultless as is the fade out.  Mint-

Another James Brown number with 'Please, Please, Please' and it plays with exceptional quality.  Their early talents really suited this kind of music!  The clarity and definition of the audio is sublime and Mint is richly deserved.

The first acapella vocal on 'It's Not True' is 'as new' and the next after the music comes in plays with impeccable quality.  It continues with great power and depth, this truly is a STUNNING version.  The vocals are as clean and powerful as they would have been in 65/66 and I cannot overstate how strong it is!  Mint

'I'm A Man' plays with stunning clarity and depth - the vocals are immense and as for the long instrumental - wow!  The sonic quality is on another level and I only noticed a handful of barely audible statics.  Nicky Hopkins' piano is often so quiet and yet you can hear it so easily.  Sensational clarity like I say.  Mint-

'A Legal Matter' is superb from the get go.  The intro is flawless and Townshend's opening vocal section is equal to that.  From then on it plays so clearly and the lack of inner groove distortion is a highlight!  Once again the audio is so clean and succinct and the power is on another level.  Even the final strains of Townshend's guitar plays with super clean audio.  Another classic and it has to grade as Near Mint at the minimum.

'The Ox' plays loud and proud from the word go.  You might expect a fair amount of distortion but no!  The opening section of this classic instrumental is very clear and it continues in much the same way.  Again you can so easily hear Hopkins' piano and Moon's drums are of course top level. Townshend's sound is raw, powerful and clean and Near Mint is fair assessment of the audio.  A superb album in so many ways.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in lovely condition with only minimal wear, it is rarely seen this clean and especially the back cover!  The edges are in excellent shape and the thin pinched spine has very little wear - just 3/4 small 'crease' marks.  All corners are very impressive with the bare minimum of wear and the opening edge has only a little handling wear plus a touch of minor 'crimping' near the top.  The 'laminated' front cover is superb with only a few of the usual small edge creases next to the spine and faint marking by the far right edge as this thin section is not covered by the laminate.  The actual surface of the front cover is exceptionally clean though.  However, just look at the back - how often is it seen like this?!  It is stunning with no obvious marking.  If I had to be super critical there is only a minor touch of surface 'rub' mainly around the edges but that is being very picky!  There are again some minor edge creases next to the spine and some of that light rubbing by the opening edge but overall this is a superb example of this iconic Brunswick cover.

The poly-lined inner sleeve (dated 3-68) has no side splits or tears but does have age related fading and some creasing here and there and some light wear on the top edges.

LAT 8616  //  MG-10256-2B  BC 1   ---   MG-10257-2B  A 1

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

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If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!