Stones: Sticky FIngers.....

I've always found this to be a not brilliantly recorded album. It's good just not great recording wise. Pity really as it's pretty much my favourite album, such a good selection of songs, brilliant use of horns and the amazing riff writing of the Stones.

But back to versions. I have a standard record, it sounds pretty good to my ears. A couple of years ago I found a Mobile Fidelity record of this and it is an improvement - if you can find that buy it, probably the best version you can get and I managed to get mine for $AU35 at a record shop here.

Can't really suggest anything else except to say the standard version is fine and I don't think a brilliant version exists. BTW, I've never heard this on CD so no idea about that.

DS

Look for a clean original. It helps if it says Rolling Stones Records in the dead wax. Not all of them do. I think this corresponds with earlier pressings. It's harder to find a clean one but I think the sound is a cut above the copies without the inscription. You should be able to find these for $10 or less. I haven't heard the MoFi but I'm not a big fan of MoFi in general and you can bet that copy will be much more expensive.

first canadian pressing is reported to be the best. As others have said, it isn't a sonic marvel to start with.

The MoFi pressing of Sticky Fingers is terrible, one of the worst efforts in Mobile Fidelity catalog. The level on the LP is very low and has the smiley face EQ. They are not difficult to find but don't waste your money.

Early pressings are among the best (Rolling Stones Records deadwax, 1841 B'way, etc) but extremely hard to find good clean copies - SF being a popular record played on many a cheap stereo at many a party.

With the Stones, the vibe was more important than the sonics but SF isn't bad, as is Exile. The low point for sonics for the Mick Taylor era Stones wasn't hit until Goats Head Soup.

Best I've heard is the original on Atco catalog # COC 59100.

The MOFI version is dreadful and might be the worst recording they ever released.