The Rolling Stones : Beggars Banquet

This 4K/1K boxed stereo pressing plays to an immaculate standard and has to be the most stunning stereo vinyl I have ever seen.  It has perhaps never been played as there is no spindle wear and the Robert Stace gatefold is also in fantastic condition.  This is unquestionably a final upgrade archive version.  It is stunning!

SKL 4955 // XZAL - 8476 - 4K / XZAL - 8477 - 1K // BCA 5 C / MG CC

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) / track 5 Near Mint

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) / track 5 Near Mint

The gatefold is Mint-

The labels are Mint

The original inner sleeve is Near Mint

Visual grading

This vinyl has the most stunning glossy sheen imaginable!  In all honesty it gleams 'as new' and are rarely seen in this condition.  Yes it is a later boxed stereo version but it would be nigh on impossible to find a 'cleaner' one.  Needless to say there are no scratches or marks - S1 is visually perfect and S2 has only a very small number of mega faint sleeve removal hairlines and one faint radial line which took me quite a while to locate!  There is no spindle wear and the labels and run out grooves are also in sublime condition.  It has been preserved beautifully down the years and just looks incredible!

Play grading

With no static etc on the run in grooves 'Sympathy For The Devil' has a stunning percussive intro with not even a dust tick.  This classic then plays with what can only be described as Mint audio.  It is so powerful and there is no distortion either not even on the guitar solo.  From start to finish this cannot be faulted and the fade out also plays with immaculate precision.  Audio does not get better than this!

With complete silence in the dead wax 'No Expectations' then plays to the same impeccable standard.  The acoustic intro is 'as new' and the remainder has no interference at all.  As stated there is no spindle wear and it is not unreasonable to think this vinyl has never been played before such is the clarity here.  Each note plays with such sharp definition and Mint is a fair assessment again.

For fear of being repetitive 'Dear Doctor' plays 'as new'.  I never over-grade my vinyls I just write what I hear even if that means listing a minor dust tick and thus far I have not even heard one of those!

'Parachute Woman' again plays to an exceptional standard with no 'background'.  As any Stones collector knows this album is generally more prone to what is called inner-groove distortion - this album was also pressed on this vinyl which doesn't help matters.  Bearing that in mind this track plays with astonishing power and clarity and any distortion is kept to an absolute minimum.  The playback is superb!  The harmonica ending/fade out is a prime example of this and quite simply plays 'as new' I have never heard 'cleaner'.  This provides further evidence of a vinyl hardly played if at all.

The intro on 'Jig-Saw Puzzle' is so impressive and yes has no interference.  A perfect start and continues in much the same way.  It is only towards the mid point that there is a little distortion but of course there is no escaping that fact.  It is non-intrusive and perhaps not even worthy of mention.  A little more towards the end but regardless of that this is a stunning version and even the mega long fade out has no 'background' of any kind.

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  The classic 'Street Fighting Man' exudes dynamic power from the very first groove.  It has such a strong 'raw' sound and there is no interference from beginning to end.  This is 'high end' to say the least and the sonic quality is so impressive.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound here, you can hear each note with perfect clarity.  This is particularly obvious on the end section where the piano is often lost in the 'mix' but that is certainly not the case here.  Another Mint track without question.

'Prodigal Son' is of the same standard and again there is not one single click or pop and no static or crackle either.  The sonic quality is equal to that of any high grade vinyl pressed recently and as you can see I am running out of superlatives once more!

The intro on 'Stray Cat Blues' could not play with greater clarity and from then on the audio is stunning.  A hint of groove distortion on the top end perhaps but a sublime version nonetheless.  This is so powerful and the 'quiet' section also impresses with absolutely no interference.  It continues in the same way and again the long fade out is sublime.

The quiet acoustic intro on 'Factory Girl' is Mint and you will not be surprised to hear the remainder plays to the same immaculate standard.  There is nothing to detract from the Mint quality of the audio.

'Salt Of The Earth' is 'as new' on the intro but there is more inner groove distortion as you progress.  I reiterate this is unavoidable and there is no let up in quality as you progress.  Vinyl enthusiasts accept this as part of the audio experience and it still plays incredibly well with no other 'background'.  The quieter sections are Mint and overall this is a very impressive way in which to end this classic album.  The crescendo ending is very strong and the piano section is just stunning.  No 'background' on the fade out!

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE ARCHIVE stereo pressing plays to the highest standard possible and as stated has maybe never been played before.  The clarity is stunning and there is not even a dust tick let alone a click or pop!  There is also complete silence in the dead wax between tracks.  Together with a super impressive gatefold that is practically 'new' this would please any avid collector.

The Gatefold

This may be a later pressing but the laminated Robert Stace cover is up there with one of the best I have ever seen, it is stunning.  It is practically 'as new' it is that good!  The edges have no rubbing or marking at all and the wide spine is just immaculate and obviously remains 100% legible.  The corners are also in great condition with only a couple of very creases at the top and bottom of the spine and the opening edges appear untouched, they are just perfect.  Both the front and back covers are beautifully clean with no laminate splits or lifting and no marks of any kind.  The inside of the gatefold is also immaculate and it would be nigh on impossible to find a better gatefold than this!

Inner Sleeve

The original Decca poly-lined sleeve is in superb condition and is 'as new'.  It's not difficult to imagine that this vinyl has hardly ever been removed the sleeve!  It has no splits or marking and hardly any creasing.

The Labels

They are as perfect as could be.  With no spindle wear or marking they are in Mint condition.

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

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

SKL 4955 // XZAL - 8476 - 4K / XZAL - 8477 - 1K // BCA 5 C / MG CC

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

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