Abbey Road 2/1 (1st Pressing)

This genuine first pressing plays with superlative audio and of course has the misaligned Apple logo on the back of the cover and no 'Her Majesty' credit on the S2 label.  It is also one of the earlier first pressings as the cover is of the green tinted variety which, by the way, is also in superb condition.

First stereo pressing on Apple Records.  'An EMI Recording' text on the labels and no 'Her Majesty' credit on the S2 label.  Misaligned Apple logo on the back cover.

Apple Records PCS 7088

YEX 749-2 / YEX 750-1 // MPL 4 / APG 5

The audio on S1 is Mint- 

S2 is Near Mint (many sections are Mint- / 'You Never Give Me Your Money' intro is Ex)

The green tinted cover is Ex+

The inner is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

  This vinyl has been extremely well cared for down the years and still retains a lovely glossy sheen.  There are some faint hairlines on each side but hey this is nearly 50 years old!  There are a couple of longer ones on S1 but they are very fine and as detailed below they have no affect on the stunning quality of the audio.  There are no scratches and this is definitely one of cleanest first pressings I have seen in a long time.  There is some spindle wear although not a great deal so this has definitely not been played an excessive amount.

Play grading

'Come Together' on S1 has incredible audio from start to finish.  From the very first note there is no interference and the warmth and depth of the sound is of such an immaculate quality it's hard to believe this vinyl is nearly 50 years old.  There is not one single click or pop and even the fade out is perfect.  'Something' is extremely impressive and plays with beautiful sound again.  Beautiful is the correct word here!  The audio has such clarity and is quite possibly the 'cleanest' version I have ever heard on a genuine first pressing.  If I had to mention anything there is a touch of mega light static in 3/4 places but it is so much in the background as to be negligible and I imagine most ears would not even hear it!  'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' plays with the same stunning quality and again there are no clicks, pops etc.  This is audio of the highest calibre and it's difficult to adequately describe it but I'll give it my best shot!  'Oh ! Darling' is another highlight and whilst I may be getting repetitive the clarity is quite simply stunning, this audio could not be any better.  The final two tracks more than match the immaculate quality preceding it.  I'm trying to find a negative but it is difficult!  A touch of distortion on the guitar solo during 'Octopus's Garden' perhaps, very minor though.  'I Want You' is sublime, I have not heard better, wow!  The sonic quality and strength of the bass here is of such an impeccable quality it was a real pleasure to listen to.  The crescendo guitar ending is superb and plays loud and true and with no obvious distortion.  It is absolutely mind-blowing, it sent shivers down my spine!  I am confident in grading this side as Mint- and in all honesty I'm not sure I've ever heard a first pressing as good as this.  

'Here Comes The Sun' begins S2 in superb fashion.  There is just one obvious light static sound on the intro and the remainder then plays with a deep, rich audio that cannot be improved upon.  The clarity and separation is immaculate, in other words there is no muddiness to the sound and it plays 'as new', stunning.  What follows is a superb version of 'Because' that plays with wonderful clarity and only a handful of very light dust ticks.  Certainly nothing that intrudes on what is another high quality listen, no clicks or pops.  'You Never Give Me Your Money' has a small number of light ticks at the beginning but the remainder does not disappoint and plays with superb high level sound.  'Sun King' plays superbly from beginning to end.  The very quiet intro only has a very small number of mega light dust ticks which is very impressive when you consider this is a near 50 year old vinyl.  The rest of the track grades as Near Mint in my opinion, the playback throughout is if of the highest standard possible.  The following three song section beginning with 'Mean Mr Mustard' has a power and depth that is second to none.  I have not heard better and there is no 'background' or distortion at all and I would go so far again to say they play 'as new'.  I'm running out of superlatives/adjectives for this stunning first press!  The quiet intro on 'Golden Slumbers' has perfect sound quality with no 'background' and the remainder plays in impeccable style also.  'Carry That Weight' has 3/4 mega light dust ticks on the intro and then plays with great quality.  There is a minimal amount of distortion on the chorus sections but I hasten to add it is only minor and many would not even classify it as interference.  The louder instrumental end section is immaculate and plays with hardly any distortion.  Absolutely fantastic!  'The End' has a minor amount of distortion on the top level but still plays very clearly indeed.  There is some very quiet 'hiss' prior to 'Her Majesty' but this section is 'dead wax' basically so there's going to be some sound!  This 'final track' ends the album with perfect audio and no clicks, pops etc.

Cover

The green tinted G & L laminated 'misaligned' Apple cover has been incredibly well preserved down the decades.  The edges and thin pinched spine have no rubbing and even the corners have only the lightest of wear.  The laminate on both sides has no splitting or lifting and there are just a small number of faint creases on either side.  The opening edge has hardly any handling wear also.  This really is a lovely example of this iconic cover.

Inner sleeve

I'm not entirely sure if this is the original inner but it is in excellent condition nonetheless.  It is a die-cut plain white inner with the Patent number to the left and Made in Great Britain to the right.  There are no splits, just some very light creasing.

The labels

The Apple labels remain in superb condition with no marking/writing just some spindle wear only.

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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