The Beatles, Rubber Soul: RARE UK ORIGINAL MONO 2nd PRESS * SUPERB AUDIO *

	£		35
	$		46

For sale is a copy of The Beatles sixth studio album, Rubber Soul.

This is an original MONO 2nd pressing produced in 1965 which features the sought-after yellow and black Parlophone labels.

The second pressing was produced very quickly after the initial release as John Lennon was unhappy with the sound of the first press and asked for it to be remastered.

The result was a much more refined sound. The album sounds great! 

This is a great copy of this 57-year-old album that is still in fantastic condition.

Please see below for further details.

The matrix numbers confirm that this record is a 2nd pressing:

·      Side 1: XEX 579-4 & 3 GAP mother stampers

·      Side 2: XEX 580-4 & 3 GMO mother stampers

We can understand the above as follows. Songs were recorded using 4, 8, or 16 track tape. The sound is transferred from a tape by a lacquer engineer to a 'lacquer', sometimes referred to as a 'master plate'. Master plates are used to create 'mother plates' and mother plates are used to create 'stampers'. Stampers are then used to press grooves into vinyl. EMI used the code: GRAMOPHLTD to denote the stamper plate used, where G=1, R=2 ... D=0.Using this, we can say that:

• XEX 579 & XEX 580 are the lacquer reference numbers. 
• The mother plates were created from the fourth (-4/-4) master plates. These were the second master plates to produced records that were sold. First pressing feature -1/-1 matrix numbers.
• Both stampers were created from the third (3/3) mother plates. 
• Side 1 was pressed from the GAP = 136th stamper.
• Side 2 was pressed from the GMO = 145th stamper.

This copy comes with the original sleeve and the 2nd variation of the labels. There are several details that can be used to identify this:

·      Front side laminated Garrod & Lofthouse flipback sleeve. 

·      The front cover features the ‘lose thread’ photograph in which a lose thread can be seen coming from John’s jacket. 

·      Black labels with yellow Parlophone logo and silver text.

·      The asterisk * associated with the writers’ credit is placed at the end of the song titles with no space in between them.

·      Perimeter text that begins: “THE GRAMOPHONE CO …”.

·      Times New Roman font.

I try to take pictures which provide a fair representation of the condition of a record and the sleeve. If interested, please read below for a detailed discussion including an audio description. 

I use the Goldmine standard as a reference for grading. 

Vinyl: VERY GOOD +

The vinyl surface retains the original gloss sheen.

The labels are bright and clean and show very little spindle wear. 

There are a handful of light hairlines marks to both sides that can be picked up in the light.

None of these can be heard, though. 

The sound is absolutely superb! It is hard to imagine the album sounding better than this. 

Very clean vocals, punchy bass and a crisp treble. John was right to get it remastered!

There is very little dust crackle between tracks, no skips, jump or sticks.

Sleeve: VERY GOOD +

The original sleeve looks great.

The front is very clean and retains the original bright colours.

The rear is very clean 

The corners are good, and the spine and edges are well defined.

There are no rips, tears or writing present anywhere on the sleeve. 

Inner Sleeve: VERY GOOD +

The original polythene lined, die cut ‘protect your records’ Emitex inner is included.

It is still very white without any significant staining or discolouration and minimal creasing to corners.

There is a name written very small in ink on the reverse.

Also included in the sale is an audiophile quality inner sleeve which provides the best possible protection for the record. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to add a simply superb copy of this iconic album to your collection!

The album is housed within a premium quality polythene outer sleeve.

The vinyl will be packaged separate to the sleeve. 

The album will be sent within a padded vinyl record mailer. 

For UK shipments I use a Royal Mail insured service.  

Similar insured postage will be utilised for international shipments. Please wait for an invoice if successful to ensure accurate postage costs.  

If you have any questions, please ask!  

Check out my other items. I’m selling some rarities from my collection!