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The Beatles : A Hard Day's Night 3N/3N 1st Mono Pressing

This first mono pressing plays with superb audio on both sides with not one tick, click or pop and no static either.  Admittedly there is some inner groove distortion on the final two tracks on S1 and just a minimal amount on the last track on S2 but this is a common issue and the audio still remains very strong.  The clarity and depth of the audio is so impressive throughout this album and it is clear the vinyl has been very well preserved over the last 58 years!

That also applies to the cover which is in lovely condition with only very minimal shelf wear.  The original Emitex inner is in excellent condition also.

This first pressing on the yellow Parlophone label has 'The Parlophone Co. Ltd...' around the perimeter edges and 'Recording First Published 1964' on the left side.  This pressing has the variation B type label as per the Beatles-collection site.

PMC 1230 // XEX 481 - 3N / XEX 482 - 3N // ADM 3 / RTR 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T6 & T7 Ex+) 

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

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The Emitex inner is Ex+

This vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under strong LED lights I can see some faint sleeve removal hairlines and some minor 'specks' but they are purely superficial and have no affect on the audio.  The grooves are so clean and the yellow Parlophone labels have no marking and only a little spindle wear on each.  The KT tax code is on the S1 label.

Play grading  

The lead in on S1 is so quiet and then the familiar 'clang' of Harrison's guitar signalling the start of 'A Hard Day's Night' has no static distortion which is a genuine rarity.  It then plays with amazing quality and no interference.  I played it loud and the power and depth of the audio is stunning to say the least.  A Mint start to the album.

'I Should've Known Better' then plays just as well and what I am finding very impressive so far is the clarity on the vocals.  They are so clean and have no 'background' of any kind and this quality is prevalent right to the end.  On the music also!  Another Mint track.

'If I Fell' plays to a very similar standard with no actual interference.  Perhaps a hint of barely audible static on the odd word?  But I am super critical here and Mint- is more than deserved.

'I'm Happy Just To Dance With You' plays with superb audio from start to finish with...no interference.  The clarity, depth and power cannot be faulted and Mint- is once again a fair assessment of the audio.

The intro on 'And I Love Her' plays with perfect clarity and continues in the same precise way with no ticks, clicks, pops or background static - the audio is again so clear.  If there is any vocal distortion it is so minor and totally non-intrusive.  Mint-

'Tell Me Why' plays with very strong audio and no actual interference but as is common when you approach the end of any mono record being played on a stereo deck there is some static distortion on the vocal.  A little harsh to downgrade maybe but I will say Ex+ to be cautious, it is still eminently playable!

The classic 'Can't Buy Me Love' plays to the same standard with just some inner groove distortion.  Don't forget when played as a mono record the audio should play with greater clarity.  An Ex+ end to the side.

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'Any Time At All' begins S2 with superb audio throughout.  There is no interference and again the depth of the audio is very strong.  A Mint version.

'I'll Cry Instead' plays to the same 'high end' standard with no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  60s audio at its very best!  Mint

With complete silence in the dead wax (again) 'Things We Said Today' more than keeps up this exemplary start to the side with audio that cannot be faulted in any way.  The clarity from the first note to the last is exceptional.  Mint

The 'high octane' vocal intro on 'When I Get Home' has no distortion and it continues to play with genuine quality with no sign of any interference.  A powerful track and yet the sonic quality is very impressive.  Another Mint track.

'You Can't Do That' has a couple of dust ticks on the intro and then plays with superb audio considering it is the last but one track on the side.  I think Mint- is fair here.

I am pleased to say 'I'll Be Back' plays very clearly with only very minimal inner groove distortion.  It is without doubt one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard and there is no intrusion on the audio at all.  I can't really fault the clarity here and the fade out has no 'background' either.  Let's say Near Mint

In summary this first mono pressing plays with superb quality with not one single tick or click or pop.  The clarity and depth of the audio on both sides is so impressive and of course this record is just two years shy of being 60 years old!  There is some inner groove distortion on the final two tracks on S1 and only a very minimal amount at the end of S2 but as I said I'm sure this could be 'improved' when played as a mono record.  I think there were only a couple of ticks during one break (dead wax) between tracks but more or less complete silence otherwise and that is just one example of the clarity on offer here.  This record has been very well looked after and the visual quality confirms that.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The Patents pending G & L cover is in superb condition and still holds it original shape and structure so well.  The edges and spine have no wear and the spine for once has not been squashed at all, never seen better!  The corners are also very clean and only the bottom right one has some light wear.  The opening edge is pristine.  The laminated front cover is in fantastic shape with no markings and no laminate damage either and the back cover is very clean also when you consider it isn't laminated.  It has only minimal age related fading and there are no obvious marks on the white background.  The flipbacks are still firmly attached to the cover and have none of the staining that you often see around the edges.  There is one small water stain in the bottom right corner but overall this is very strong example of this iconic cover.

The original poly-lined Emitex inner is in great condition with no side splits, tears or marking and only minimal 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

PMC 1230 // XEX 481 - 3N / XEX 482 - 3N // ADM 3 / RTR 2

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.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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