The Beatles : Abbey Road 1st Stereo Press 2/1 with 'Misaligned' Apple

This stunning album is a final upgrade archive first pressing of that I have no doubt.  It plays with immaculate audio and rarely have I heard one this good.  Being a genuine first press it has the misaligned 'Apple' logo on the back cover.  The cover incidentally is also in great cndition.

This has the first label variation with 'An EMI Recording' text on two lines and small 33 1/3 text to the far left hand side.  Plus there is no 'Her Majesty' credit on the S2 label.

PCS 7088 // YEX 749 - 2 / YEX 750 - 1 // MAH 4 / GGA 7

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the vast majority) 

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the vast majority / track 4 intro Ex+)

The cover is a very strong Ex (close to Ex+) 

The inner sleeve is Ex-

The labels are Mint-

 Visual grading

  This is a visually stunning vinyl and has been so well preserved over the last 50 years.  Only lightly played there is only a small amount of spindle wear on S1 and nothing on S2.  For a genuine first pressing it has a beautiful glossy sheen.  There are no scratches and only a small number of very faint hairlines on each side.  There are a couple of very small and faint marks on S1 but they have no affect on the immaculate audio.  Overall a super impressive first pressing that also has very clean labels and run out grooves.

Play grading

'Come Together' from the very first note plays with stunning clarity and incredible depth.  As any Beatles' fan knows this opening track has such a strong deep bass sound and it does not disappoint here!  The entire track is 'as new' with no interference of any kind.  Not one single click, tick or pop and no static or crackle either and even the fade out plays with perfect precision.  The audio could not be any better and grades as Mint- and it provides a breathtaking start to S1.  'Something' is almost of the same immaculate standard.  If I am being super harsh there is just a minimal amount of mega light static hiss in the background during the quieter sections but it really is so minor and totally non-intrusive.  The clarity is still of an impeccable quality and again no other 'background'.  'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' is another highlight and already it is difficult not to repeat myself!  The sonic quality and definition of the sound is nigh on perfect and this is obviously a vinyl that has only been lightly played and very well looked after down the years.  'Oh ! Darling' plays to the highest standard possible and is again worthy of a Mint- grading.  The clarity and strength of the audio is stunning and Paul's vocals on the top end of the chorus - well I've never heard better.  There is no distortion and again this is 'as new'.  You can't say that about many first pressings from 50 years ago!  'Octopus's Garden' plays to near perfection from start to finish but again perhaps there is just a minimal amount of light static hiss in the background.  This may not even be worthy of mention as I do sit so close to the speakers and literally 'pick' up' any 'background' however minor.  It still plays with 'high end' quality' and yes no clicks or pops etc.  The classic 'I Want You' plays with superb depth from the very first groove and continues in the same way.  There is no obvious interference at all and all you could say is that there is a very minor light touch of background static but in no way does it intrude on the fantastic overall quality.  As the track builds towards the end the definition of the sound is so impressive and this really is an incredible version.  Rarely have I heard such powerful all-encompassing sound and you can easily turn this up to maximum without fear of distortion.  Wow what a version!

'Here Comes The Sun' has a minimal amount of light static on the intro and then plays 'as new' it is absolutely stunning.  So rarely have I heard this classic play with clarity such as this.  You can hear each note and this is Near Mint with the vast majority playing better than that!  'Because' has barely any static on the intro and the melodic tones then play with superb depth and quality.  Once more there is no interference, this really is a beautiful first pressing!  The super quiet intro on 'You Never Give Me Your Money' is among the cleanest you are ever likely to hear.  The clarity is exceptional and this quality prevails to the very end.  There is just nothing that detracts from the superlative quality of the audio.  Wow!  'Sun King' is another track with a very quiet intro and again it does not disappoint.  There is a little static but again it is non-intrusive and once the vocal begins the audio is hugely impressive.  How many 50 year old tracks that are this quiet play as well as this?!  The trio of songs, 'Mean Mr Mustard', 'Polythene Pam' and 'She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' all impress with Mint- quality and that is no exaggeration.  I grade honestly and I know Mint when I hear it!  With no 'background' whatsoever this is audio of the highest standard.  'Golden Slumbers' plays in sublime style from the very first note and having played every second this is the most impressive I have heard in a long time.  Quite simply stunning!  'Carry That Weight' continues in exactly the same way with no interference.  The drum section is just Mint and the following 'louder' section perhaps has a minor amount of distortion but it still plays fantastically well.  'The End' and 'Her Majesty' end this amazing album with stunning sound quality and no intrusive interference of any kind.  There is more or less complete silence in the grooves before that final 'hidden' track.

In summary this wonderful first pressing is a final upgrade archive 'time warp' classic in my humble opinion and rarely will you find this album playing with such stunning definition and clarity.  The entire album plays without a single click or pop!  Audio does not get much better!  With a very impressive cover this 'misaligned' first press will not disappoint the avid collector.

The Cover

The fully laminated G&L cover is in lovely condition and has only very minor wear and as can be seen has the 'misaligned' Apple logo on the back.  The edges and thin pinched spine have no rubbing at all which is extremely rare and the opening edge has only a small amount of handling wear.  The corners are also in great order with only a little wear/creasing on the bottom right one.  The laminated front cover has no splits and only a small number of faint creases near the opening edge that you can only see when held at a certain angle.  The back cover is similarly in excellent condition with only a handful of small laminate creases.  A very impressive 'first press' cover overall.

The inner sleeve

The die-cut plain white inner sleeve has some light 'spotting' and mild creasing but there are no splits or tears.

The Labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels are in near perfect condition with only a small amount of spindle wear on the S1 label.  There are no marks or writing at all.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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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