Abbey Road 2/1 (1st Stereo Press)

This first pressing plays with superb audio with only one obvious area of interference on S1.  The 'misaligned apple' cover is also in superb condition.  As this is a genuine first press there is no 'Her Majesty' credit on the S2 label.

PCS 7088 // YEX 749 - 2 / YEX 750 - 1 // GTH 9 / GTM 5

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / 30 seconds on track 1 VG)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint / Mint- for the majority / track 3 intro Ex)

The cover is Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex+

The labels are Ex+

 Visual grading

  This is certainly one of the cleanest first pressings you will find.  There are only a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines and it still retains a lovely glossy sheen.  S1 does have one very small faint scratch but it is quite difficult to spot.  Overall the vinyl is very clean and has been very well preserved, S2 especially has a stunning 'look' to it.

Play grading

The intro on 'Come Together' plays very cleanly with no 'background' but after about 30 seconds there are a number of swipe click type sounds but many of them are really quite faint.  A shame because thereafter it plays with great clarity and no other interference and fabulous strong bass line.  The fade out plays with perfect precision, the clarity is stunning.

'Something' plays with sublime quality from start to finish.  There is no distortion on the top end and the clarity again is of a superb standard.  I heard only a couple of mega light dust ticks and there are no clicks or pops.  This classic plays with nigh on perfect precision, a fantastic version and easily qualifies as Near Mint if not better!

The audio quality does not diminish as you progress.  'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' and 'Oh Darling' if anything grade as Mint- the audio is 'high end' indeed.  What is impressive is that the high octane vocal on this latter track has no distortion at all.

'Octopus's Garden' plays to the same impeccable standard.  There is just no interference of any kind and the clarity and depth of the recording could not be any better.

There is a minimal amount of distortion in the 'I Want You' intro but not at all intrusive.  From then on it plays with wonderful power and clarity again.  With a hint of barely audible static this plays incredibly well and of course the strong bass is all over this track.  The crescendo ending builds impressively with great dynamic power and no obvious distortion and with barely any static.  I played it twice and wow such a powerful end to this classic.  The sonic quality is stunning and provides a superb finale to S1.

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There is some light background hiss at the start of S2 but this soon disappears once the classic 'Here Comes The Sun' begins.  It then has audio that plays with very impressive clarity and warmth.  The separation here is obvious - you can hear every note so cleanly as there is no muddiness to the sound whatsoever.  Audio does not get much better than this!

'Because' again has some of the background hiss on the intro but there is no other interference.  Thereafter the audio plays very clearly with no clicks or pops but you can hear the 'hiss' sporadically.  I wouldn't say it is particularly intrusive as the audio is exceptionally clear and the harmonies play perfectly with superb definition.

The very quiet intro on 'You Never Give Me Your Money' again has some 'hiss' on the intro but aside from that plays with near perfection.  The middle section is superb and there is no distortion on the louder mid section.  The clarity on the long fade out is actually very impressive and has very little background.

The quiet intro on 'Sun King' plays very clearly but yes there is a little ubiquitous hiss here.  On the plus side there are no clicks or pops and once the vocal begins the clarity is superb.  Again it plays so cleanly with no other 'background'.

The 'three track' section starting with 'Mean Mr Mustard' all play with great power and clarity and there is no interference to be heard here.  Not one single click or pop and no distortion on the top level.  No exaggeration the audio here is 'high end' and does not disappoint in any way.  Absolutely stunning!  Near Mint if not better!

The intro on 'Golden Slumbers' is very clean and has only a couple of light dust ticks.  I am pleased to say there is very little of the 'hiss' here and the and the clarity is again very impressive.  The track plays without fault throughout.

'Carry That Weight' is another sublime listen with barely any distortion which is actually quite rare as it often 'carries' some to a lesser or greater extent.  It plays so strongly throughout and the depth and power is stunning.  The 'loud' ending with the guitar solo is fantastic and quite simply plays 'as new'.

'The End' and 'Her Majesty' end this classic album with superlative clarity, just a mild hint of distortion, and whilst there is a little 'hiss' in the silent section between the two there is no other 'background'.  A suitably impressive ending to this classic album with no clicks or pops.

In summary this genuine first 2/1 pressing with the 'misaligned' apple on the cover has highly impressive audio overall.  Yes there is the section on the first track on S1 but that is the only obvious interference.  S2 has a little background 'hiss' here and there but the clarity overall is exceptional and there are no clicks or pops on this side at all.  I would also say the original 'misaligned' cover has the 'green tint' on it and this is how the first pressing was first issued making it even more collectable.

The Cover

This is without doubt one of cleanest G & L laminated covers you will find and it still has a lovely glossy sheen on it.  As stated it has the 'misaligned apple' on the back cover.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in fantastic condition with no shelf wear and the latter remains 100% legible.  Even the corners are in superb shape with almost no rubbing!  The opening edge just has a very small amount of handling wear over one area but aside from that is very clean.  The laminate throughout has no splits - there is just one tiny 'lift' near the opening edge on the front and a little creasing below the credits on the back.  Vert clean overall.  This is a superb example of this iconic cover and it would be difficult to find a cleaner one.

Inner sleeve

This actually has a poly-lined Emitex inner which is in great condition with no splits, tears or marking just some light creasing.

The labels

They are both very clean with no marking or writing.  There is some spindle wear but this is mainly around the centre hole.

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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