The Rolling Stones : Let It Bleed 2W/1W Boxed Stereo blue Decca label

This later boxed stereo pressing plays to a superb standard with only very minimal 'background'.  Minimal being the operative word!  The vast majority is of a Near Mint standard and a full grading is given below as per usual.  The clarity and depth of the audio is very impressive and the classic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' is stunning!  The vinyl is also in beautiful condition and looks to have been hardly played.  

The cover is in excellent condition with hardly any wear and the original poster is practically 'as new'.  The original Decca inner is also in excellent shape.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

SKL 5025 // XZAL-9363-P-2W / XZAL-9364.P-1W // GKN 1 / GKK 4

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / T2 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (T1 Ex to Near Mint / T3 intro VG+ for 2/3 seconds)

The cover is a very strong Ex 

The poster is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition and has preserved that 'as new' immaculate glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches on either side and only a very small number of very difficult to find sleeve removal hairlines.  It is stunning!  The run out grooves are also super clean as are the labels which have no marking and barely any spindle wear.  The vinyl does have a minor 'kink' on one edge, it really is very minor and no affect on the stylus or of course the audio.

Play grading

The classic intro on 'Gimme Shelter' has only a couple of very light ticks and plays with stunning clarity.  As the vocal comes in the audio is so strong and clear and continues in the same way with no intrusion.  There is only a barely discernible amount of mega light static in a couple of sections and overall Near Mint is very much deserved.  A superb start.

The acoustic intro on 'Love In Vain' is so close to perfect with barely any static and the opening vocal has only a couple of light ticks.  From then on it plays very clearly for such a quiet track.  There are no clicks or pops and only a hint of mega light static here here and there, not intrusive in any way.  The mandolin section plays beautifully with barely any 'background' and the remainder plays to a superb standard also.  I think Near Mint- is about right here.

Right from the start 'Country Honk' plays with wonderful clarity and depth and there is no let up in quality as it progresses.  This is a 'high end' version with no interference at all and Mint is an easy grade to give.

The deep bass intro on 'Live With Me' is near perfect with just one light tick and Jagger's first vocal is 'as new'.  From then on it plays like it has hardly ever been played before.  It plays with great power and definition and with that typical Stones' raw energy.  The sax instrumental section is exceptional and that more or less is how the entire track can be described.  The final 'high octane' section cannot be faulted.  Mint-

There is one light click in the dead wax but the quiet intro on 'Let It Bleed' has no intrusion and that includes the acoustic section.  From then on it plays with outstanding quality and with only a minimal amount of inner groove distortion and I do mean minimal!  In no way does it intrude on the quality of the listen and it is still a superb rendition.  Let's say Near Mint although I am sure many would grade higher.

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The intro on 'Midnight Rambler' has only minimal static and one tick and then plays very clearly into the first vocal.  It continues to play extremely well with only a hint of very light static in the background every now and then.  There are no clicks or pops and the audio is very deep and strong - the instrumental section is a prime example of that and the clarity here is very impressive indeed, no intrusion at all.  The majority of the following quiet section plays very well but does have a small number of light ticks and a little static for a few seconds.  The playback is still excellent and as it builds there are no negatives, the audio is stunning.  The 'high octane' end section is superb also and has no 'background'.  I would say this ranges between Ex and Near Mint

'You Got The Silver' plays with great clarity from start to finish with very little intrusion.  I clean all records I sell and that can often remove a lot of 'background' but as any audiophile knows the stylus can also also perform an admirable 'self-cleaning' exercise and now having played this track three times the clarity has been vastly improved.  All I detected were a small number of very light ticks and Near Mint is deserved.  There is a click sound at the end of fade out also.

'Monkey Man' has one light click on the intro and a tick and then plays with very strong and powerful audio for the remainder.  There are no clicks or pops and the audio is very 'clean' and the mid instrumental is superb!  The final section is faultless and overall this is a 'high end' Near Mint version that is VG+ for the first 2 seconds.

The 'choral' opening on the classic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' has only a small number of very light static sounds and the acoustic section is then 'as new' with no 'background' at all.  The first vocal is of the same superb standard and the more it progresses the more I am impressed by the quality of the audio.  There is one light tick but there is no denying that the playback is absolutely STUNNING!  Every section plays with sublime clarity and depth and this standard is maintained to the very end.  The final London Bach Choir section is outstanding and there is no distortion on the top end either and no 'background' on the fade out.  This is a fantastic version that easily grades as Near Mint although the majority certainly grades higher.

In summary this boxed stereo pressing plays to a superb standard overall with only minimal interference i.e. very minimal!  According to the stonesondecca site this album was pressed anywhere between 1970 and the late 70s.  I suspect it was '75 as the Decca inner has a date code of 10-75 and for a vinyl that is 46 years old the clarity and definition of the audio is hugely impressive.  There is only minimal static and there are certainly no loud clicks or pops.  A fine example overall with a superb cover and poster also.

The Cover, Poster & Inner Sleeve

The laminated Clout & Baker cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges have no rubbing and the spine is in superb order with no obvious corner wear either.  The right hand corners are also super clean as is the opening edge which is near perfect.  The front cover has no laminate marking or marking just some minor indents which you can only see when you hold the cover at a certain angle.  The back cover is in lovely condition when you consider it isn't laminated and has only one very faint mark near the top edge.  This edition of course does not have a mono/stereo indicator hole and has (Poster Included) beneath the catalogue number as opposed to a sticker on the front.

The original glossy poster is in fantastic condition with no tears or marking and only one very faint corner crease, it is hardly worth a mention!  The poly-lined Decca inner has no side splits and only a small number of 'spots' and a faint ring type mark.

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

SKL 5025 // XZAL-9363-P-2W / XZAL-9364.P-1W // GKN 1 / GKK 4

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.

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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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LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 per extra

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