The Beatles : Abbey Road 2/1 1st Press (Misaligned Apple / No 'Her Majesty')

This first pressing plays to a standard that you hardly ever find today.  As per every record I sell I have listened to every second in order to provide a comprehensive grading and the clarity and definition of the audio is stunning.  There is no interference and this is one record that has been beautifully preserved down the years.  It's incredible to think it plays so well at over 50 years of age!

This is a FINAL UPGRADE album, a time warp classic i.e. you will not need to find another as you could not improve upon this fantastic audio quality!

As this is a genuine first press it has the 2/1 matrix, the 'misaligned apple' on the back cover and no 'Her Majesty' on the S2 label or back cover.  The cover itself is in excellent condition with only very minimal shelf wear.

PCS 7088 // YEX 749 - 2 / YEX 750 - 1 // RHA 3 / RML 7

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is a very strong Ex very close to Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex+

  The vinyl has a very impressive glossy sheen and whilst it has been played a number of times (there is some spindle wear) it has had no bearing on the stunning audio quality.  S1 is in superb condition with only a handful of barely visible hairlines.  S2 has a couple of hairlines that are longer and more obvious but they are exactly that - hairlines that have absolutely no affect on the audio.  It's Mint audio that we're after of course and this first press supplies it and then some!  The run out grooves are very clean and the labels have no marking at all.

Play grading

The quiet intro on 'Come Together' has no static at all and it continues to impress with stunning audio for the remainder.  It plays with remarkable depth and of course the bass is so strong when you find a 'clean' vinyl like this.  There is no interference on this classic opening track not even a dust tick.  I know Mint when I hear it and this is it!  The fade out plays with perfect precision also.

I am pleased to say 'Something' is of the same 'high end' standard with no interference.  There are a couple of barely audible dust ticks but this is audio of the highest calibre that belies its age.  Over 50!  There are so many quiet sections and yet the clarity and definition of the audio cannot be faulted.  Another Mint track, what a version!

There is little detail required with the next track.  'Maxwell's Silver Hammer' maintains the standard and plays with immaculate quality from start to finish.  If anyone is looking at my listings for the first time then I can confirm I listen to every second of every track and sometimes play tracks more than once.  I like to provide a comprehensive grading and this is the only honest way to do it.

'Oh ! Darling' has no 'background' of any kind and even on the top end there is no distortion.  I've always loved the production values on this album the sonic quality here is just so good.  A phenomenal Mint version if ever there was one!  Plus another perfect fade out.

Dare I say 'Octopus's Garden' plays to the same 'high end' standard?  Well I can and it does!  Every note can be heard so clearly and this grades in the same way as the previous tracks.

The intro on 'I Want You...' has no distortion and the first vocal is faultless.  As you get further into the track there is no decrease in quality and the power and depth of the audio is fantastic.  The playback is so strong and again the bass is so much to the fore.  What a sound!  'That' proggy section is just STUNNING!  It plays loud and true with no distortion and you do not often hear it play as incredibly well as this.  To the very end it plays with immense power and I'm just shaking my head in disbelief at the quality of the audio here.  Turn it up to loud, what an incredible listen!  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as every section plays with sublime precision.

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'Here Comes The Sun' has only the bare minimum of mega light static on the intro and as the vocal begins the audio is back to its imperious best.  The audio plays with so much depth and warmth again and cannot be faulted in any way.  As it is such a 'clean' vinyl the melodies on this classic play superbly.  A near perfect Mint- version.

'Because' is equally as good with great clarity throughout.  There is a touch of barely audible static at the beginning but is still a super clean intro nonetheless.  With only one very light tick the rest of the track plays beautifully and again there are no clicks or pops.  The tick is so quiet I still believe this is worthy of a Mint- grade.

The quiet piano intro on 'You Never Give Me Your Money' is stunning and the first verse is also 'as new'.  It continues in the same manner with no intrusion of any kind.  The definition of the audio really stands out here and to the end it plays with amazing clarity and power.  I often mention fade outs but along with intros I believe they provide a great indicator of the audio quality.  The long fade out here has no 'background' whatsoever.  This track is Mint in every way.

The segue into 'Sun King' is immaculate!  So quiet and yet there is not even a dust tick and the intro is just as good.  Wow!  I am delighted to say there is no let up in quality and once again I can't believe I'm listening to a 50 year old record!  You know the grade :-)

The trio of songs starting with 'Mean Mr Mustard' play with sublime precision and no interference.  'Polythene Pam' is stunning and plays loud and true with no distortion and 'She Came In Through The Bathroom Window' is of the same quality with real depth and power.  All three grade as Mint and that is a true reflection of the audio and not me over-selling it.

The quiet intro on the classic 'Golden Slumbers' plays with faultless precision i.e. not one dust tick etc!  The first chorus is of the same standard and the remainder is also 'as new'.  A perfect Mint rendition.

'Carry That Weight' begins very strongly and with no interference.  If there is any inner groove distortion it is kept to an absolute minimum and the playback cannot be faulted.  The mid instrumental section plays with incredible depth, power and such strong bass - it provides a fantastic end to the track.  Honestly it is stunning!

The segue into 'The End' could not be any clearer and the remainder has barely any distortion.  The 'silent' section then plays errr very quietly with only a couple of light ticks and 'Her Majesty' ends the album with perfect audio and no intrusion.

In summary this genuine first press could not play with any greater distinction.  As you can see from my grading the sonic quality is outstanding and put simply there is just no interference at all.  It goes without saying that audio of this quality is so rarely found today and I do not mind saying that I have only ever found one 'Abbey Road' as good as this before.  Admittedly there are a couple of obvious hairlines on S2 but they have no bearing on the audio whatsoever and I am confident in saying both sides play as Mint the audio is that good.  A stunning record with a very clean 'Misaligned' Apple cover also.

The Cover

This laminated G & L cover has only minimal shelf wear and retains its original 'look' extremely well.  The edges and spine are in superb shape with no rubbing and only the right hand corners have a little wear, just a little more on the lower one.  The opening edge has only light handling wear.  The front cover is very clean and has only one crease top right where maybe the cover has been bent a little, this is slightly more obvious on the back.  Other than that it has only a handful of faint creases around the edges.  Apart from the creasing top left the back cover is in excellent order with no marking and of course it has the 'misaligned' apple.  There is no laminate splitting on either side.  A very respectable copy.

The Labels

They are both very clean with no marking and only some spindle wear as mentioned.

The Inner Sleeve

The die-cut plain white inner sleeve has no marking or splits just some light creasing.

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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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

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