The Beatles : Rubber Soul 'Loud Cut' 1st Press 1/1 with G1 stamper on S2!

This highly collectable and increasingly rare Loud Cut first pressing is in wonderful condition and is the most impressive version I have ever seen or heard.  The record is visually stunning and the vast majority plays to a sublime Mint- standard with not one single click or pop.  There is no interference, the playback is phenomenal!  It has been so well preserved down the years and it is clear the vinyl has not been overplayed judging by the incredible clarity and definition of the audio and the fact that there is not too much spindle wear.

What makes this even more collectable is that it has the 'holy grail' of stampers on S2.  'G1' as any collector knows signifies that this side was pressed with the first ever stamper!  I have certainly never seen a Loud Cut with the 'G1' stamper before and certainly not in this condition!

Just a little history about the Loud Cut press.  Production was soon stopped due to it having a 'muddy' bass and an aggressive vocal sound hence the rarity and collectability value.

This is known as the first variation of the first pressing as it has the 1/1 matrix.  The labels also have the Sans-Serif type and a gap between the * credits indicator and the song titles. 

The Patents pending cover is in lovely condition and has none of the marking that is so often prevalent.  It's very rare to find one as 'clean' as this!  The original Emitex inner is also in excellent condition.

PMC 1267 // XEX 579 - 1 / XEX 580 - 1 // PM 4 / G 1

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Mint- for the majority / Track 7 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 7 Near Mint)

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The Emitex inner sleeve is Ex

  This vinyl is in beautiful condition and that is no exaggeration.  It is not in my interests to over-grade any aspect of any vinyl and this is the most impressive Loud Cut pressing I have ever seen.  There is not too much spindle wear and what you can see is restricted to the inner circle apart from a couple of trace lines on one side.  It has not been overplayed and that is reflected in the superb audio quality.  It has a stunning jet-black glossy sheen with no obvious marks and there are certainly no scratches.  Both sides have just one mega faint 'spot' and only a small number of hairlines but they are not easily found as they are so very faint!  At first glance you would be mistaken for thinking this was 'as new' not nearly 55 years old!  The run out grooves and labels are also extremely clean with no marking.  The KT tax code is stamped on the S2 label.

Play grading

'Drive My Car' has 2/3 seconds of mega quiet static on the intro and then plays with stunning clarity for the remainder.  The playback is so 'clean' and there is no 'background' of any kind.  The clarity and depth is so impressive and this easily deserves a Near Mint grading.  The fade out also plays with perfect precision.

The classic 'Norwegian Wood' is of the same immaculate standard if not better!  The so called 'muddy' bass sound is first evidence here as per the Loud Cut pressings but it does not detract from the wonderful quality of the audio though.  There is no interference and this qualifies as Mint- it is stunning!

'You Won't See Me' also plays with sublime quality and there is only a minimal amount of light static in a couple of places.  It is barely audible though and totally non-intrusive.  Once again there are no clicks, pops or crackle and again the clarity and definition of the audio is up there with the best I have heard on a Loud Cut first press.  Near Mint without doubt.

'Nowhere Man' is stunning from the very first note and continues in the same precise way.  You can detect the 'aggressive' vocal sound and the 'muddy' bass again and because the audio is so 'clean' these imperfections can be heard with perfect clarity.  If that makes sense!  To the end there is no 'background' of any kind and is another Mint- track.  I cannot believe this record was pressed almost 55 years ago!

'Think For Yourself' has a hint of mega light static on the intro and then plays nigh on perfectly for the remainder.  No clicks, pops or crackle!  Near Mint although the vast majority is better than that!

As you get closer to the end of the side you would expect some inner groove distortion and yet 'The Word' plays with incredible definition and barely any distortion!  This provides another example of a vinyl that has not been overplayed.  There is no groove wear and the playback cannot be faulted in any way.  This is Near Mint although I might be underselling myself again!  The fade out again plays perfectly.

'Michelle' is one track that is often affected by static distortion in particular.  I am delighted to say this is one of the 'cleanest' versions I have ever heard on a Loud Cut pressing.  There is only a minimal amount of light static in the background and in no way does it affect the listening enjoyment.  There is no distortion or any other interference for that matter and it would be difficult to find a better version.  This is a superb Near Mint- finish to S1 and the fade out once again has to be heard to be believed!  Is this record really 55 this year?!

------------------------------------------------------------------

Now for S2 that as stated has the G1 stamper!  'What Goes On' starts things off in supreme style with 'high end' audio from start to finish.  The 'muddy bass' is much in evidence again and yet the clarity and sonic quality has not diminished over the years.  The harmonies here are so 'clean' and each note plays with perfect precision.  This is Mint- with another fade out.

This version of 'Girl' is absolutely stunning and Mint- is richly deserved!  For this relatively quiet track to play with such sublime clarity is a rarity indeed.  The clarity cannot be faulted and each note is so sharply defined and there is no 'background' of any kind.  To be honest the minus isn't required!  This truly is an immaculate version.  Wow!

I may be running out of suitable superlatives buy now but 'I'm Looking Through You' also plays to the same impeccable standard.  Incredibly there is no distortion on that famous chord sequence on George's guitar which is such a rarity.  From start to finish there is no interference and this is another Mint- track.

'In My Life' has only 3/4 dust ticks on the intro and then proceeds to play with stunning quality.  There are no clicks or pops and the clarity is again exceptional.  A couple of mega light static sounds but I am still confident in grading this as Mint- as they are so minor and totally non-intrusive, barely audible in fact.  

'Wait' is very impressive when you consider we're getting closer to the end of the side where inner groove distortion can often play a part.  There is none here and it plays with great power and definition.  It just has that 'aggressive' vocal sound as per the Loud Cut pressing.  Mint- again.

'If I Needed Someone' plays extremely well with barely any inner groove distortion and perhaps when played as a 'mono' record it would disappear completely.  The playback is still so impressive regardless of that and Mint- is a fair reflection of the audio.

The acoustic intro on 'Run For Your Life' could not play any better and then progresses in much the same way.  The playback is stunning and any inner groove distortion is kept to an absolute minimum.  Perhaps it doesn't even need to mentioned as you expect it anyway but like I say it is so minor.  I cannot praise this song highly enough and it may well be the strongest version I have ever heard on a Loud Cut press.  The clarity and depth is superb and there is no intrusion on the audio plus the fade out is so 'clean' which is so rare for the final grooves on a near 55 year old record!  I will grade this as Near Mint and hope I am not underselling it!

In summary this has to be the finest Loud Cut first press I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  There cannot be many that have no interference!  There are no clicks, pops or crackle and no intrusive static either.  Despite it being the 'rejected' mix the depth of the audio is stunning and the fact that there is complete silence in the dead wax between the majority of tracks indicates just how good the clarity is.  The incredible sonic quality cannot be underestimated this is one STUNNING vinyl!  As stated it is visually stunning and it is obvious this record has been so well cared for down the years.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE first pressing and the cover is also in lovely condition with none of the marking or staining that you so often see.  A fantastic album that would impress any Beatles' collector.

The Cover

The laminated G & L Patents pending cover has only minimal shelf wear and is very 'clean' indeed.  The edges and spine have no rubbing or marking and are 'as new'.  The corners are also exceptionally clean with only the top right one having a minimal amount of wear and the opening edge has only a little feathering.  The front cover is in superb order with only one small 'rough' mark near the top edge above the first 'B' and a couple of faint creases next to the spine.  Of course it's the back cover that is so often marked so hopefully the photos do this one justice!  It is so clean and has no obvious marking, just a couple of tiny 'spots'.  The flipbacks are still firmly attached to the cover and have only a minimal amount of 'browning' on the edges.  But what is so impressive is just how 'white' the background is and again this provides another example of how well it has been preserved.  It would be difficult to find better and is a stunning example of its kind.

The Labels

The yellow/black Parlophone labels are in great condition with no marking or writing and not too much spindle wear as stated.  They have not lost any of their original colour.  The KT tax stamp is on the S2 label.

The Inner Sleeve

The original Emitex sleeve has no side splits and only one small tear on the 'central' window.  There is some creasing here and there but no age related fading, just a couple of faint spots.

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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