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MF Beatle Boxes are awfully dear.

Back in the 80's, I was looking for a box set of Beatle records, and a set of Japanese pressings on high quality vinyl sounded better, to me, than the MF, which seemed to have exagerated bass (not so unusual for MF records) and not so much clarity in the highs. Several reviewers shared that view. Older mono Parlophones were considered by many to be ultimate versions of the genre (the artificial stereo versions of the early records can be irritating - like hearing George play in one channel while singing in the other). Now, the MF sets seemingly command the highest prices. Did the "conventional wisdom" somehow change, over time, did everyone just "forget", a younger generation just doesn't know any better, some strange artifact of marketing hype, or what?
128x128lloydc
hevac1
812 posts
 
I believe its supply & demand. There are alot less MFSL than the other and is US only release. The blue box stereo was released in many countries and for the most part sound similar. Now look at the limited mono released box sets both black & red only released in the UK & Japan, MFSL box set is cheap compared to them. Open box set MFSL $500 to $900. Limited open mono from 1200.00 to 2000.00 to start the bidding. I have seen sealed box sets by MFSL but never a sealed red or black box set. IT's all supply demand even in the used department.
lloydc's avatar
lloydc OP
751 posts
 
thanks for the info, I didn't realize some of those things were available. Not really feasable for me to go down the mono or open real path, though, at those prices.
theunderlyingtheme
90 posts
 

[Bkonig

I had the Blue Beatles box and Liverpool Box (odeon). Both were Japanese pressings. While warmer sounding than the MF set, I definitely preferred the focus and clarity of the MF pressings]

For someone who's not a serious Beatles collector or anything like that, I could have done much worse than ending up with the Japanese blue Apple box?

Just wanted to be certain that I didn't end up with lousy-sounding copies of the albums.
hevac1
812 posts
 
You can build a set. Open single LP's for the most part are cheaper, MFSL or Japanese. It will take time thats all. I feel the mono japanese are the most reasonable for mono and the stereo recording can be had for less. The best mono's are UK but they will set you back some cash. I am still trying to get a 68 UK Mono White album in VG++ or NM for 400.00 but no luck. Most sellers on audiogon are more reasonable with cost than on Ebay but not always.
hevac1
812 posts
 
Lloydc,
Check this out on EBay
Item #160325191686.
Japanese Beatles Blue box set.
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